China places importance on its relations with Namibia and regards Namibia as a trustworthy friend and partner, top legislator said Tuesday in Beijing.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Congress of China (NPC), made the remark during a meeting with visiting Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.

Since the two countries forged diplomatic links 15 years ago, China and Namibia have maintained the healthy and rapid growth of bilateral relations and achieved rich results in various areas of cooperation, Wu said. The frequent exchanges among the high-level officials of the two countries have pushed forward the expansion of bilateral ties.

He added that the two countries have made fresh progress in cooperation in such areas as science, education, culture, justice and human resources development.

China and Namibia have maintained close consultation and coordination on international affairs, thus effectively safeguarding the interests of their own and other developing countries, he said.

Wu said China is ready to join efforts with Namibia to further enhance political mutual trust, and expand and deepen cooperation in all fields.

The NPC has maintained sound exchanges and cooperation with the Namibian parliament, and it is ready to continue such exchanges and cooperation with the new parliament in all forms, including sharing experience in legislative practice and national construction and increasing cooperation in international fora, Wu said.

Pohamba expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and exchanges in all fields such as trade. Noting that Namibia and China share traditional friendship and have unique advantages in their efforts to build their countries, Pohamba expressed the hope that the two countries would further advance trade and economic cooperation. He welcomes Chinese companies to increase contacts with their Namibian counterparts so as to explore new ways of cooperation.

Pohamba said the exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries play a vital role in advancing bilateral relations. He voiced the wish that the legislatures of both countries will go on exchanging experience and make joint contributions to international legal affairs.

Source: Xinhua