By Koviao Matuzee
China is moving to deepen its economic and development cooperation with Namibia, with plans to inspect local grape production areas in December as part of preparations to open the Chinese market to Namibian fresh table grapes.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping announced the planned inspection during his second press meeting of the year on 3 November, saying both countries were implementing agreements reached during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to China in July.
During the visit, Nandi-Ndaitwah and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.
Zhao said a Chinese expert team would visit Namibia in December to assess grape production areas and undertake preparations for the eventual export of Namibian fresh table grapes to China.
The planned inspection comes as both countries seek to expand agricultural trade and strengthen economic ties.
Chinese provinces have also stepped up engagement with Namibia, with delegations from Guangdong and Sichuan visiting the country in September and October respectively to discuss trade, agricultural cooperation and investment opportunities.
Zhao said several Chinese companies were also advancing investment projects in Namibia.
In the development sector, the two countries are expected to sign an implementation agreement for a police housing project, while an exchange of letters for a Smart City Pilot Project has already been concluded.
A Chinese technical team has also completed an on-site feasibility inspection for a borehole drilling project in Namibia.
China is further expected to send another expert team this month to conduct a feasibility study for the second phase of the Satellite Ground Data Receiving Station and Processing System.
Zhao said the two governments remained in discussions over additional development assistance projects.
Education and skills development also featured prominently in the cooperation, with China providing opportunities for 442 Namibians to study or participate in training programmes since the beginning of the year.
Of these, 97 Namibians received Chinese government scholarships to pursue master’s degrees, representing a 27.6% increase compared with last year.
Another 111 Namibians attended bilateral training programmes in China, while 234 participated in multilateral training programmes.
In sports, the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Namibian National Olympic Committee signed a four-year memorandum of understanding last week to strengthen cooperation in athlete development, high-performance sports, sports science and sports medicine.
Turning to broader China-Africa relations, Zhao said President Xi had announced several initiatives this year, including zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines for 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China.
The measure took effect on 1 May 2026 and is intended to expand African access to the Chinese market.
Xi also outlined principles for mining cooperation with African countries, including Namibia, emphasising mutual benefit, friendly consultation and innovation.
During his meeting with Botswana President Duma Boko in October, Xi further proposed four principles for mining cooperation, stressing African ownership of resources, mutual benefit, high-quality development and a fair and open business environment.
Zhao said China also supported African-led solutions to conflicts on the continent, guided by principles that include respecting Africa’s leadership, safeguarding justice, ending hostilities and addressing the root causes of conflicts.
He said the initiatives demonstrated China’s commitment to strengthening relations with African countries through equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The ambassador also briefed journalists on the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which he said focused on strengthening party self-governance.
The meeting adopted a resolution outlining measures to strengthen party discipline, improve leadership, combat corruption and reinforce institutional accountability.
Zhao said the measures were intended to ensure that the Communist Party remained capable of providing leadership and serving the Chinese people.
He said China’s domestic political and economic developments were important to its international relations and foreign policy.
