China, Namibia underline commitment to stronger ties

China and Namibia on Friday underscored their commitment to building bilateral ties.

Chairman of Namibia's National Council Asser Kapere, on his first visit to China, Friday met with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo before meeting top political advisor Jia Qinglin.

"As most of the delegation is visiting China for the first time, we have a keen interest in the country," Kapere said at the beginning of his meeting with Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The bilateral relationship had developed well since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1990, Wu said, highlighting frequent high-level contacts, strong political trust, positive cooperation and close coordination in international issues.

Wu expressed appreciation for Namibia's staunch support to China on issues concerning Taiwan, human rights and Tibet.

Wu said China valued its ties with Namibia and called for the two countries to expand economic and trade cooperation and work more closely under the framework of the China-Africa Forum on Cooperation.

Wu encouraged legislative bodies of the two countries to contribute to overall China-Namibia relations.

Kapere extended condolences to China over recent floods which wreaked havoc in northern and southern provinces.

He also congratulated China on making the Shanghai World Expo a success.

Kapere called for the two countries to work more closely in trade, education and people-to-people exchanges.

In a separate meeting, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told Kapere the two developing countries faced the same task of development.

Labelling Namibia an "all-weather" friend of China in Africa, Jia pledged to join hands with the Southwest African state and further bilateral ties between the two states, and the CPPCC and Namibia's National Council.

Kapere thanked China for its support and assistance on his country's road to national independence, saying he hoped to learn from China's development experience and to bolster cooperation.

Source:Xinhua