Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began his first overseas visits of 2025 with a January 5-11 trip to Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad and Nigeria. This marks the 35th consecutive year that the Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas tour at the start of the year, something that has become an important tradition and bedrock of Chinese diplomacy.
On January 6, Wang met with Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba in the city of Swakopmund.
He said that, despite the geographical distance, the bond between China and Africa has remained strong. The China-Africa relationship has withstood the test of changing global circumstances and is showing new promising prospects, he added, stressing that China remains a trustworthy partner for Africa, consistently prioritizing the continent in its overall diplomatic strategy.
For 35 years, Chinese foreign ministers have made Africa the destination of their first overseas visit of each year, a tradition that reflects China’s unwavering commitment, Wang said, adding that this tradition will continue because strengthening China-Africa cooperation is more crucial than ever for the world, and their joint development symbolises the rise of the Global South and the growing influence of justice.
At the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed 10 partnership action plans to jointly advance modernisation and announced that the overall characterisation of China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Acknowledging Namibia’s unique resources and vast development potential, Wang said that the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) Party of Namibia has adopted a people-centred governance philosophy and guided the country along a development path suited to its national conditions. (The close relations between SWAPO and China date back to Namibia’s armed struggle for independence against the apartheid regime in South Africa. SWAPO adopted socialism with Namibian characteristics as its guiding ideology in 2018.)
President Mbumba said that despite differences in size, Namibia and China have always maintained a relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation, based on mutual respect and support.
Namibia firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports China’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity, including Taiwan, and admires the development achievements under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the leadership of the Communist Party of China, he said, adding that Namibia looks forward to enhancing interparty exchanges with China and sharing governance experiences.
The same day Wang Yi met with Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in the national capital of Windhoek.
He said that the 35-year of tradition of Chinese Foreign Ministers travelling first to Africa each year stems from the deep and enduring friendship between China and Africa, noting that whether during their struggle for national independence and liberation or in the pursuit of common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported and helped each other. (Global Times reported this as “the glorious years of striving for national independence and liberation”, while the Namibian newspaper New Era reported it as “the extraordinary times of fighting for national independence and liberation.”)
Global Times further quoted Wang Yi as saying that strengthening unity and cooperation between China and Africa, and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, is in line with historical justice and the trend of the times, and also meets the common aspirations of the 2.8 billion people of China and Africa.
China is willing to offer as much support as possible for Namibia’s economic development, help Namibia transform its resource advantages into development advantages and benefits for its people, and work together to advance their respective modernisation processes.
Coverage of Wang’s visit in the Namibian media focused on the diverse areas in which China is extending practical support to Namibia.
The Namibian newspaper quoted President Mbumba as saying that a ship containing drought relief aid from China is expected to arrive in Namibia later this month. “I am informed that a ship with food donations left China in December 2024 and is expected in Namibia by January this year. Furthermore, about 14 industrial boreholes are to be drilled throughout Namibia as part of the drought assistance this year,” he said.
Namibia and China, he added, are looking to strengthen cooperation in areas such as education, green energy, women and youth development and infrastructure, trade and investment facilitation.
Besides itemising other areas of ongoing Chinese assistance, Mbumba also expressed his desire to benefit from China’s concept of smart cities, the large potential tourist market and its assistance in improving airport facilities.
In mining, Chinese investment, mainly from Rossing Uranium and Swakopmund Uranium, continues to play a significant role in developing Namibia’s uranium sector as one of the biggest global producers of the metal, the President noted.
The New Era newspaper quoted President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as saying: “In 2018, when our two presidents met, they agreed to elevate our cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. That, for us, means a lot. Therefore, your visit at the beginning of the year is very significant.” She thanked the Communist Party of China for sending a delegation to observe Namibia’s presidential and national elections in November last year.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, The Namibian and New Era.
Namibia, China pledge to advance outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit
WINDHOEK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) — Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba on Monday met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, in the city of Swakopmund, with both sides pledging to advance bilateral cooperation.
Despite the geographical distance, the bond between China and Africa has remained strong, Wang said.
The China-Africa relationship has withstood the test of changing global circumstances and is showing new promising prospects, he said, stressing that China remains a trustworthy partner for Africa, consistently prioritizing Africa in its overall diplomatic strategy.
For 35 years, Chinese foreign ministers have made Africa the destination of their first overseas visit of each year, a tradition that reflects China’s unwavering commitment, Wang said, adding that this tradition will continue because strengthening China-Africa cooperation is more crucial than ever for the world, and their joint development symbolizes the rise of the Global South and the growing influence of justice.
Namibia, an important member of the African family, is also a comprehensive strategic cooperation partner of China, he noted.
At the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed 10 partnership action plans to jointly advance modernization and announced that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
This has charted the course for the future development of China-Africa relations, Wang said, noting that China is ready to work with Namibia to implement the 10 partnership action plans, helping Namibia accelerate its modernization process.
Acknowledging Namibia’s unique resources and vast development potential, Wang said that the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) Party of Nambia has adopted a people-centered governance philosophy and guided the country along a development path suited to its national conditions.
China is willing to strengthen exchanges on governance with Namibia and deepen cooperation in various fields to achieve common development, Wang said.
Mbumba said despite differences in size, Namibia and China have always maintained a relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation, based on mutual respect and support.
Namibia firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports China’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity, including Taiwan, and admires the development achievements under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the leadership of the Communist Party of China, he said, adding that Namibia looks forward to enhancing interparty exchanges with China and sharing governance experiences.
Mbumba recalled his meeting with Xi during last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit when the two leaders reached a consensus on strengthening bilateral relations. Namibia supports the Beijing Declaration and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan adopted at the summit and is keen to actively implement the summit’s outcomes, hoping to expand cooperation in infrastructure, digital economy, energy, agriculture and education, thereby improving the well-being of the two peoples, he said.
Namibia supports the three global initiatives proposed by Xi, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and looks forward to continued mutual support and collaboration with China in international and regional affairs to safeguard shared interests.
On the same day, Wang also met with Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Chinese FM begins Africa visit, reaffirms strong China-Africa ties
WINDHOEK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) — The Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year has always been to Africa, a longstanding tradition and a distinctive hallmark of China’s diplomacy, consistently upheld for 35 years without wavering, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah after arriving in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, to start his first overseas trip in the new year.
This tradition stems from the deep and enduring friendship between China and Africa, he said, noting that whether during their struggle for national independence and liberation or in the pursuit of common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported and helped each other.
By maintaining the tradition of beginning the year with an Africa visit, China aims to send a message to the world that regardless of changes in the international or regional landscape, China remains Africa’s most reliable friend, its most steadfast partner in pursuing development and revitalization, and the strongest supporter of Africa on the global stage, Wang said.
Wang Yi meets Namibian leaders, says tradition of Chinese foreign minister making Africa the first overseas visit never changing or wavering
Jan 7 (Global Times) — The Chinese Foreign Minister’s first overseas visit each year is always to Africa, which is a fine tradition and a distinctive feature of China’s diplomacy. This practice has remained consistent for 35 years, never changing or wavering, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his visit to Namibia on Monday.
During his visit to Namibia, Wang respectively met with Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday.
During his meeting with Nandi-Ndaitwah, Wang said that the primary reason for making Africa the first stop is because China cherishes the enduring friendship between China and Africa. Whether in the glorious years of striving for national independence and liberation, or in the common journey of seeking mutual benefit and cooperation,
China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported, and helped each other, Wang added.
By adhering to the tradition of making Africa the first overseas visit of the new year, China hopes to show the world that no matter what changes occur in the international and regional situation. China will always be the most trustworthy friend of our African brothers and sisters, always be the most reliable partner in the pursuit of development and revitalization for African countries, and always be the strongest support for Africa on the international stage, said Wang.
We will continue to uphold this tradition, as the world increasingly needs enhanced cooperation between China and Africa, Wang said during his meeting with Mbumba, adding that the development of China and Africa symbolizes the ascent of the Global South and the fortification of the forces of justice.
Strengthening unity and cooperation between China and Africa, and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, is in line with historical justice, the trend of the times, and also meets the common aspirations of the 2.8 billion people of China and Africa.
Wang also said that China will continue to support Namibia in pursuing a development and revitalization path that suits its national conditions and appreciates Namibia’s long-standing firm adherence to the one-China principle. China is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Namibia, enhance exchanges between parties and governance experience, increase ideological and conceptual alignment, and provide guidance and security for the development of bilateral relations, he added.
China is willing to offer as much support as possible for Namibia’s economic development, help Namibia transform its resource advantages into development advantages and benefits for its people, and work together to advance their respective modernization processes.
Mbumba said that although the countries differ in size, Namibia and China have always maintained friendship, solidarity, and cooperation, as well as mutual respect and support. Namibia firmly upholds the One-China policy, supports China’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity, and admires Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the development achievements made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Namibia is willing to strengthen inter-party cooperation with China and engage in exchanges on governance and administration experience, according to the Chinese foreign ministry website.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Namibian and Chinese people have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. Namibia will, as always, work to consolidate and develop Namibia-China cooperation and remain steadfast in adhering to the One-China principle. Namibia is willing to actively implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as trade, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy resources, bring opportunities for Namibia’s economic and social development, and deliver benefits to the people of both countries.
More drought aid on its way to Namibia from China
Jan 7 (The Namibian) — A ship containing drought relief aid from China is expected to arrive in Namibia in January.
This was revealed by president Nangolo Mbumba when he met with Chinese foreign affairs minister Wang Yi at Swakopmund on Monday.
Namibia and China are looking to strengthen cooperation in areas such as education, green energy, women and youth development and infrastructure, trade and investment facilitation.
For drought assistance, Mbumba said about N$50 million was announced by China president Xi Jinping during the country’s bilateral meeting with Namibia.
“I am informed that a ship with food donations left China in December 2024 and is expected in Namibia by January this year. Furthermore, about 14 industrial boreholes are to be drilled throughout Namibia as part of the drought assistance this year,” he said.
Mbumba said in the area of education and culture, in November 2024, Namibia set up four hostels in the Zambezi and Kavango West regions as donations from China, at a cost of over N$300 million.
“Similarly, the University of Namibia (Unam) in November 2024, signed an agreement with the China University of Geosciences Beijing and the Confucius headquarters in China to establish a Confucius Institute at Unam, to enhance cultural and socioeconomic cooperation between our two countries,” said Mbumba.
In addition, Mbumba also stated his desire to benefit from China’s concept of smart cities, the large potential tourist market and their assistance in improving airport facilities.
Meanwhile, Wang said his visit to Africa before any other continent on his global journey symbolises the importance his nation places on its relationship with African countries.
“Our African brothers and sisters are our trustworthy friends”, he stated. “Though we are geographically far apart, our hearts are closely linked,” he said.
Wang said: “Our shared development and cooperation represents the rise of the global South and the force of emerging countries”.
His visit concludes on Tuesday.
China’s foreign affairs minister courts Namibia
Jan 7 (New Era) — President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday met with China’s foreign affairs minister Wang Yi.
She said the meeting is an indication of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Namibia and China.
Wang, who is also a member of the political bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, arrived on Saturday.
His two-day work visit includes holding talks with President Nangolo Mbumba in Swakopmund yesterday.
“In 2018, when our two presidents met, they agreed to elevate our cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. That, for us, means a lot. Therefore, your visit at the beginning of the year is very significant,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She thanked the Communist Party for sending a delegation to observe the presidential and national elections in November last year.
She noted that the gesture speaks to the long-time friendship between the people of Namibia and China.
Wang said the visit is aimed at comparing notes with their Namibian counterparts following the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024 in Beijing.
The forum was attended by President Mbumba.
Wang stated that Chinese foreign ministers undertake overseas trips every year.
Traditionally, the first visits are to African countries, marking a distinct feature of China’s diplomacy.
“We cherish the time-honoured friendship between China and Africa – be it during the extraordinary times of fighting for national independence and liberation, or as we pursue mutually beneficial cooperation in the process of common development,” the minister said.
He noted that China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported and helped each other, particularly through the joint efforts of China’s President Xi Jinping and African leaders.
“China’s bilateral relations with all 53 African countries have been elevated to the level of strategic relations for the shared future.
“We hope that through upholding the tradition of visiting Africa first in the new year, we can show the world that whatever happens in the international and regional situations, China will always be the most trustworthy and reliable friend of African brothers and sisters,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Nangolo Mbumba has said government has approved the joint venture between Namwater and the China General Nuclear Power Group to invest and raise the required N$3 billion for the establishment of the Husab desalination plant.
The project, which is included under the China-Namibia Belt and Road Initiative, will significantly alleviate water shortages in Namibia’s central and western areas.
Mbumba made the remarks yesterday at Swakopmund, when he met Wang.
The President said China has pledged N$50 million to fight drought in the country as announced by president Xi Jinping during a recent bilateral meeting.
“I am informed that a ship with food donations has left China in December 2024 and is expected in Namibia by January this year. Furthermore, about 14 industrial boreholes are to be drilled throughout Namibia as part of the drought assistance this year,” he said.
In mining, Chinese investment, mainly from Rossing Uranium and Swakopmund Uranium, continues to play a significant role in developing Namibia’s uranium sector as one of the biggest global uranium producers, Mbumba noted.
