The Chinese people and the Namibian people have a long-standing traditional friendship. Before Namibia's independence, China strongly supported the Namibian people in their just struggle for liberation. The friendship forged between the two peoples during this period laid a solid foundation for the growth of China-Namibia relations. On 22 March 1990, one day after Namibia won independence, China entered into diplomatic relations with Namibia. During the 17 years since then, the bilateral relations have grown smoothly, featuring regular exchange of high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in economic and trade, cultural, educational, public health and other fields. H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, President of the SWAPO Party and funding President of Namibia, who is an old friend of the Chinese people, has made 13 visits to China. Since taking office in March 2005, President Hifikepunye Pohamba has actively promoted Namibia's cooperation with China in many fields. President Pohamba paid a state visit to China in the same year when he took office and went to China again in November 2006 to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Namibian Government has remained committed to the one China policy and supports China's cause of reunification. In international affairs, China and Namibia work in close cooperation and mutual support to uphold the interests of developing countries and promote world peace and development. People-to-people contacts between China and Namibia are increasing, deepening mutual understanding and friendship. Seven pairs of sister cities and provinces have been forged between the two countries. Namibia is now a destination for Chinese tourists and this will bring our two peoples closer.
At the invitation of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, President Hu Jintao will pay a state visit to Namibia on 5-6 February. This will be the second visit by a head of state of China to Namibia following the visit by President Jiang Zemin in 1996. This will be a historic visit, and it will surely boost the traditional friendship between China and Namibia, deepen our cooperation in all fields and make China-Namibia friendship blossom and flourish.
The friendly exchanges between China and Africa have a long history. In more than half a century since the inauguration of their diplomatic relations, China and the African countries have, supporting each other and sharing weal and woe in their struggle for liberation and sovereignty, forged a profound friendship. The two sides have achieved remarkable progress in their respective pursuit of national and economic development through mutual support. I was posted in Africa for 10 years. As China's foreign minister, I always return to Africa as I make my first overseas visit in the new year, and each time I was greatly encouraged by Africa's new progress and the deepening friendship and cooperation between China and Africa. At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in November 2006, China and Africa established a new type of strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange. It brought China-Africa friendship to a new level.
China is the biggest developing country, and Africa is home to the largest number of developing countries. Closer friendship and cooperation between China and Africa serves their fundamental interests and enhances global peace and development. China will intensify its efforts in implementing the eight measures announced by President Hu Jintao and other decisions made at the Beijing Summit to strengthen new China-Africa strategic partnership and create an even brighter future for China-Africa friendship and cooperation.