WINDHOEK, June 23 – The ongoing deliberations on visa-free travel between the governments of Namibia and the People’s Republic of China have entered their fifth year without reaching a conclusive agreement.
Numerous entrepreneurs in Namibia consider these discussions to be a significant milestone, mainly if they result in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Given that a majority of the goods we rely on, including equipment, machinery, materials, and even food, are imported from China, the current stringent visa requirements impede trade and tourism between the two countries.
“Chinese citizens should be granted unrestricted entry into Namibia without the need for visas, provided they can demonstrate good intentions and possess sufficient funds to support their stay in Namibia. We should encourage them to utilize the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) instead of the US Dollar (USD), enabling us to utilize the RMB for purchasing our requirements from China. There should be no turning back. The Cabinet must actively pursue China-Namibia cooperation to establish visa-free travel between the two nations,” expressed an entrepreneur engaged in import and export business on the Swapo Solidarity Freedom WhatsApp group yesterday.
Critics have voiced concerns about the existing visa requirements for Chinese travelers, deeming them burdensome, particularly regarding health-related matters and supporting documentation. Many anticipate that these requirements will be relaxed once the negotiations between the two countries conclude.
Some determined Namibian entrepreneurs and individuals interested in visiting China for tourism purposes remain hopeful that a favorable decision will be reached. They firmly believe that such a decision would significantly facilitate their travel and interactions. Furthermore, it is suggested that the visa-free policy should extend to all Namibian passport holders, rather than being exclusively limited to diplomatic and official passport holders.
Frustration over the delays was evident on social media platforms. Moreover, when news circulated that an opposition leader from NEEF expressed reluctance to support the discussion in parliament this week, some individuals went as far as condemning and labeling the member of parliament as a sellout and puppet of new modern colonizers.
In response to media inquiries, the new Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Weiping Zhao, explained that the delays were primarily caused by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely limited discussions and meetings.
Ambassador Zhao also expressed the view that implementing visa-free travel would greatly benefit Namibia, particularly in the tourism sector. It would enable a larger number of Chinese tourists to easily visit Namibia, while also providing increased opportunities for Namibians to travel to China for various purposes.
The highest-ranking Chinese diplomat in the country further disclosed that there are currently 1,700 Chinese nationals in Namibia, and Chinese companies have created over 5,000 jobs. China has already established visa-free agreements with 132 countries, and in 18 of those countries, arrangements for visa-free travel for all passport holders are already in effect -Namibia Daily News
