(Ambassador Zhao Weiping, Kavango West, Oct 28, 2024)

Honorable Anna Nghipondoka, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture,

Honorable Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council,

All Namibian Government officials present,

All the representatives of the local communities,

Dear principals, teachers and learners,  

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is my great pleasure to be in Kavango West again and attend the Handover of the China-Aided Classrooms and Hostel Blocks at the Satotwa Primary School, which is one of the four rural schools upgraded and expanded with the Chinese Government grant.

First, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Kavango West and the Mankumpi Community in particular on the successful completion of this important educational infrastructure project. I am very glad that all the students and teachers are now able to study and teach in more favourable facilities. I share your great joys. It’s indeed exciting to see these new buildings.

I also congratulate Simanya Combined School for the completion of the China-aided classrooms and hostel blocks in their school.

Especially, I congratulate the Namibian Government, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, and the National Planning Commission on this new achievement. The Namibian Government and leaders have always taken education as a key priority in national development. I personally had the honor of discussing with Minister Nghipondoka several times on China-Namibia development cooperation in the area of education. I believe, with the leadership of the Namibian Government, Namibia will make constant progress in its educational undertaking.

My congratulations also go to Honorable Chairperson Muha, Honorable Governor Ausiku and the Regional Council of Kavango West. You have always cared for the betterment of your region and constituency, and today we are celebrating together this important project for our kids, the future of their families and the nation. I am deeply encouraged by the benefits this project has already brought to the people in this region. And I believe, with the improved facilities, both schools will produce more talents for Namibia’s social and economic development.

On this happy occasion, we should remember all the people who have contributed to the success of the project.

I wish to thank the Namibian government agencies at all levels and the people of Kavango West for their support. Honorable Minister Nghipondoka has provided critical leadership to ensure the smooth implementation of the project, which I am deeply appreciative of. I also thank the Gansu Construction Investment Group, SIPPR Engineering Group and all the Chinese and Namibian workers. I am very glad to know that the construction of this project has created 400 jobs for Namibia. They finished the construction of these four schools in two years. I appreciate their hard work and contribution. Although only very few of them are with us at the event, I suggest we give them a big applause to express our gratitude.

Distinguished guests, the China-aided four schools are the new symbols of China-Namibian friendship. As an all-weather friend of Namibia, China has always been keen to support Namibia’s social and economic development, and we have consistently placed education as one of the priorities in our development cooperation with Namibia. With the construction of these four new rural schools, China has altogether donated 9 schools to Namibia since the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1990. We are determined to do more in the future. I repeat, we will do more.

At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will take ten partnership actions for modernization with Africa in the next three years. President Xi also had a successful bilateral meeting with President Mbumba during the summit, reaching important consensus on pushing forward China-Namibia Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. I believe that, with our joint efforts, China-Namibia relations will certainly achieve even greater development in the years ahead and bring more tangible benefits to our two peoples.

In conclusion, I wish today’s event a complete success and good health to all of you. Thank you all!