Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy Erkki Nghimtina said Wedneday in Windhoek that more trade between his country and China and more Chinese businessmen coming to the southern African country indicate "excellent friendly relations" between the two countries.

"The relations between Namibia and China are excellent and harmonious. This has been demonstrated in the field of education, economic development and national projects," the minister said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua, before Namibian president's scheduled visit to China to attend the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing in November.

Several Chinese businessmen have already teamed up the Namibians for the economic development of the country and many more are coming, said the minister.

Bilateral trade volume in 2005 hit a new high to 137 million U. S. dollars. China sold mainly machinery, textile and shoes to Namibia and bought from it frozen fish and copper.

Nghimtina said the Beijing summit is going to strengthen the already excellent relations between Namibia and China, as well as between China and Africa.

"We believe that nowadays China is an economic giant, and everybody wants to tap some economic experience how to deal with economic issues and to have a booming economy," the minister said.

China has supported Namibia during its struggle for independence and the support is continuing, which augment Namibia's present development programs to alleviate poverty and emancipate from social and economic imbalance, Nghimtina added.

The two nations have witnessed healthy growth of bilateral relations since forging diplomatic ties in 1990 when Namibia gained independence after longtime struggle. They have maintained frequent high-level visits, fruitful cooperation in politics, economy, trade, culture, education and health, and mutual support and close coordination in international affairs.

China also appreciates Namibia's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China in other areas.

China and Africa will hold the summit and the third FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Beijing on Nov. 3-5, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said last week.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Li said Chinese and African leaders will discuss ways to establish and foster a new type of strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, win-win economic cooperation and cultural exchanges and will draw a blueprint for enhancing China-Africa cooperation.

"Stronger ties between China and Africa will contribute to South-South cooperation and international peace and development," Li said.

China-Africa economic ties have grown rapidly in recent years. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that the two-way trade volume has rocketed from 4 billion U.S. dollars in 1995 to some 40 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.

Chinese direct investment in Africa has amounted to 1.18 billion U.S. dollars, with more than 800 Chinese enterprises on the continent.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relationship between China and African countries.

China released its first African policy paper early this year, putting forward its proposals for all-round cooperation with Africa in various fields in the coming years.

FOCAC is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

Since the launch of the FOCAC in 2000, two ministerial conferences have been held in Beijing and Addis Ababa.

Source: Xinhua