Close contact and good cooperation between the political parties of China and Namibia have played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and in pushing forward relations between the two countries, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said in Windhoek Thursday.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark during talks with Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, general secretary of the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO) of Namibia.

Li arrived in Windhoek on Wednesday evening for a goodwill visit to Namibia, the second leg of his four-nation Africa trip. Tjiriange went to the airport to greet Li.

In his talks with Tjiriange, Li said the relationship between China and Namibia was based on long-term friendly cooperation between the CPC and SWAPO.

Li noted that as early as in the 1960s, the CPC and SWAPO had forged a deep friendship as China firmly supported the Namibian people's struggle for national independence under the leadership of SWAPO.

In recent years, the CPC and SWAPO have maintained close contact and good cooperation, which has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples and pushing forward relations between the two countries.

Li put forward three suggestions on how to deepen the relations further between the CPC and SWAPO.

First, he said the two political parties should maintain the momentum of high-level visits to further enhance mutual understanding and political trust.

Secondly, Li said the CPC and SWAPO should exchange experience and learn from each other in governing their countries.

Thirdly, he said the two parties should strengthen exchange among young personnel to carry forward the well established friendship from generation to generation.

Li emphasized that the CPC was willing to continuously deepen its relationship with SWAPO by tapping into potentials and explore new ways of cooperation.

Tjiriange expressed a warm welcome to Li during his visit to Namibia. He said SWAPO fully agreed with the comment that Li made on the relations between SWAPO and the CPC. He also expressed appreciation on the suggestions that Li put forward on further strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two political parties.

Tjiriange said when SWAPO led the Namibian people to fight for national independence, the CPC, the Chinese government and people had always stood by their side.

He said in today's historical times, SWAPO was ready to further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation with the CPC to push forward the all-round and extensive development of Namibia-China relations.

Before flying to Windhoek, Li concluded a goodwill visit to Sudan on Wednesday afternoon. He was seen off at the airport of Khartoum by Nafi'a Ali Nafi'a, deputy chairman for political and national affairs of the National Congress of Sudan.

Before leaving Sudan, Li visited Khartoum Refinery Co. Ltd, a Sino-Sudanese joint venture.

Source: Xinhua