H. E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, Founding President and Father of the Namibia Nation,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies and members of diplomatic corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon!
Today we gather here to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Namibia, a milestone in the history of China-Namibia friendship and an important festival of our people. On behalf of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, I wish to welcome you all and express my sincere gratitude to you for your long-standing support to China-Namibia friendship.
China-Namibia friendship was forged during the years of Namibian people's glorious struggle for independence, when Chinese people stood firmly with Namibian people and we fought side by side determinedly like brothers and sisters. During the following peaceful years of seeking social and economic development, our friendship was built up on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development. In the past 25 years, thanks to the good care given by our national leaders generation by generation, our friendship has strode over radical changes of international situations and become a model of South-South cooperation, with continuous deepening of mutual-beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The national leaders of our two countries attach great importance to our bilateral relations, which constantly enhance our political mutual trust. H. E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, Founding President and Father of the Namibia Nation, who has visited China 18 times, is a pioneer, promoter and witness of our friendship. He is an old friend of Chinese people and very renowned in China for his great contribution to our relations. Former President H. E. Hifikepunye Pohamba visited China 4 times and devoted himself to promoting our exchanges in all fields. Last April, H. E. Dr. Hage Geingob, who was Prime Minister at that time, visited China and addressed the Boao Forum for Asia 2014 Annual Meeting as the only representative from Africa. He talked to the new national leaders of China on our all-round cooperation in the future and reached broad consensus. A few days ago, Hon. Yang Chuantang, Special Envoy of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the celebration on the 25th anniversary of the independence of Namibia and the inauguration of President Geingob. During his stay, he held fruitful discussions with President Geingob and Vice President Iyambo. Before long, General Chang Wanquan, State Councilor and Defense Minister of China will lead senior military delegation to visit Namibia, aiming at further strengthening our military cooperation. We express sincere gratitude to the outstanding work of our national leaders in promoting our friendship, which we believe, will be promoted to a higher level under the leadership of our new governments.
China-Namibia economic and trade cooperation has developed very fast in 25 years, from which our people are benefited. Our trade volume reached 863 million US dollars in 2014, 16.78% more than that of 2013. The investment from China has grown to 4.6 billion US dollars by the end of 2014, which is in front rank of all African countries. The Husab Uranium Mine, which went into operation last May, is the largest entity investment of China in Africa and has created more than 2000 permanent jobs. We also have active people-to-people exchanges. Art troupes from Liaoning, Tianjin and other parts of China visited Namibia in recent years and raised the passion of the local people on Chinese culture. The Namibian young people are very keen to learn Chinese. So far there are more than 300 Namibian students studying in China. Last June, the 16th Chinese Navy Escort Fleet in Aden Bay successfully visited Namibia for the first time. These exchanges has deepened our mutual understanding and consolidated the public opinions for our friendship.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen!
25 years is just a flash in history, but we have witnessed great achievements in our friendly cooperation. My embassy put together some wonderful moments and co-host a photo exhibition with the National Museum of Namibia and Xinhua News Agency Windhoek, to commemorate those great achievements. Following the Opening Ceremony today, we will continue the exhibition at the Independence Memorial Museum, 4th floor, from 30 March. Later, Ms. Esther Moombola-Goagoses, Head of National Museum Namibia will diver her verbal invitation. For the same purpose, the Embassy will also host a Chinese Film Week, associated with Sky Theater Maerua Mall, on 10 April and a table tennis tournament on 18 April. We hope our friends, especially media friends could participate in these functions and show, through your lens and reports, the great achievements of our friendship to the Namibian people so as to further enhance our mutual understanding.
Looking back at the past, we are satisfied with our relations. Looking into the future, we are fully confident on the prospect of our cooperation. Now 1.3 billion Chinese people are right on their way to the "China Dream" of national prosperity and rejuvenation, as well as the people's happiness. Meanwhile, the Namibian Government has also highlighted its goal of VISION 2030, and is making efforts to realize the "Namibia Dream" of national industrialization. China is willing to join hands with Namibia, taking the 25th anniversary as a new starting point, to make more achievements and create a new era of our all-round cooperation for the benefits of our two peoples. Let's look forward together to another glorious 25 years of mutual trust and support, mutual benefit and common prosperity. Now I would like to propose a toast:
To our long-standing friendship,
To the prosperity of China and Namibia,
Cheers!