The Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Zhang Yiming, has described the diplomatic relations between his country and Namibia as one the best in the African continent. Zhang stated this while addressing a group of prospective Namibian students who were scholarship recipients to study in China, at their send-off ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Windhoek.

China has accepted 57 Namibian students to study in China for the 2019 academic year.

In his speech, the Chinese ambassador said that President Hage Geingob state visit to China last year, strengthened the existing ties between the two countries by elevating the relationship.

“The two heads of state took the relations to new heights through comprehensive and cooperation strategies and the support system is strong and that dates way back,” he noted.

Zhang also lauded Namibia’s political support to China on many issues especially on backing the republic to get back and be part of the United Nations in 1971. “This kind of relationship”, he commented, “is based on mutual tasks and equal footage with owning the cooperation” .

In terms of strategic partnerships, Zhang said there are two important and outstanding cooperation in Namibia which no other African country can make comparisons to. “The first project is the space science cooperation. Namibia just received the first Chinese female astronaut last week, and nine years ago the first Chinese astronaut also visited Namibia as the first country because of the space science cooperation that exists between the two states” .

In late August, two Chinese astronauts, Liu Yang and Chen Dong, made a visit to Namibia to inspire young students in sciences. Yang, China’s first female astronaut in space, and her colleague Dong, arrived in Namibia’s port town of Walvis Bay on Aug 19, starting their five-day visit to the southern African nation at the invitation of President Hage Geingob. Zhang said the visit was aimed at enhancing communication and cooperation on astronautics between China and Namibia.

During his state visit to China last year, Geingob visited the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, and interacted with three Chinese astronauts. He also invited the astronauts to Namibia.

During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call to President Geingob, met local middle school learners at Space TT&C Station, and talked face-face with students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Zhang reported.

He also spoke about the tracking station in Swakopmund. “The tracking station has been in operation from 2000 till today and that symbolic cooperation links Namibia and China together for the peaceful use of space. We honour Namibia and cherish this support system,” he reiterated.

Furthermore, he said the relationship between both countries are two examples of the strategic importance of the states’ bilateral relationship. “This relationship was laid as a solid foundation by our senior leaders, the likes of the founding President, Sam Nujoma, former President Pohamba, our late Chairman Mao Zedong and so forth and that is past; what must happen now is to inherit this and pass on from one generation to the next, ” he concluded.