Namibia and China hope to sign three more agreements

WINDHOEK, 22 AUG  – The Namibian and Chinese governments are hoping and expected to sign three more agreements during the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit slated for early September 2018.
The agreements include the Belt and Road Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation and the Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders’ agreements.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Zhang Yiming highlighted these agreements during a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob at State House on Wednesday, adding that the passport exemption agreement will facilitate officers to exchange visits freely between the two countries.
“Zimbabwe and Angola used to be very strict on these visas but now they have also relaxed these policies, just to attract more potential investors especially from China,” said Zhang.
He therefore appealed to the Namibian Government, through the line ministry, to positively consider the visa agreement.
He added that he would like the agreement to be mutual, because they are aiming for win-win treaties, from which both countries will benefit equally, and Namibians too should feel free to invest in China should they so wish.
He emphasised that China will continue to render its assistance to Namibia through grants and loans in order to develop its infrastructure and other aspects, as part of their relationship.
“China has longstanding relations with Namibia and we have mutual respect for each other, therefore we just want to ensure that any cooperation in the near future are those of benefit to both countries,” Zhang noted.
President Geingob is expected to attend the FOCAC Summit from 01 to 04 September, which will be officially opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping, followed by an address by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to the summit programme, six heads of state, including Geingob, are expected to also deliver speeches during the official opening.
More than 50 African countries are expected to be represented at the event.
The FOCAC summit intends to “strengthen the strategic consensus between the two sides to maintain their friendship, consolidate the political foundation for their unity and cooperation and inject a strong impetus into the development of the bilateral ties in the new era”.
NAMPA