Namibia

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia maintained a sound momentum of growth, and further progress was made in the exchanges and cooperation in all fields.

The two countries enjoyed frequent political exchanges and everdeepening friendship and mutual trust. In February, Commerce Minister Chen Deming visited Namibia. In March, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Wan Jifei visited Namibia. In March, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and founding President Sam Nujoma sent congratulatory letters to Xi Jinping on his election as President. In May, CPPCC Vice Chairman Ma Biao visited Namibia. Namibian founding President Nujoma, Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku, Vice Chairperson of the National Council Margaret Mensah, and Secretary-General of the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO Party) Nangolo Mbumba visited China or attended international conferences in China.

Progress was made in economic cooperation and trade between the two countries. In 2013, the two governments signed two agreements on economic and technical cooperation. The Husab (formerly known as Rossing South) uranium project with investment from a consortium formed by China General Nuclear Power Group and the China-Africa Development Fund was officially launched. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the two sections of DR 3608 and MR 67 of the Namibian Northern Highway upgrading project supported by Chinese concessional loans.

New steps were taken in exchanges in culture, education, press and space and there was growing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. An art troupe from Tianjin held a "Happy Chinese New Year" gala in Namibia. The artist group "Embrace China" organized by All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese gave performances in Namibia. A national art troupe of Namibia staged performances in China. The inauguration ceremony of the Confucius Institute jointly established by China University of Geosciences and the University of Namibia was held in Windhoek, capital of Namibia. Xinhua News Agency and Namibia Press Agency signed a cooperation agreement whereby Xinhua news services became available in Namibia. The Chinese Space Tracking, Telemetry and Command Station in Namibia successfully supported the Shenzhou-10 manned space mission.

In July, the Chinese government provided US$200,000 in cash as emergency assistance to the Namibian government for fighting drought.

On 11 October, the new Namibian Ambassador to China Ringo Abed presented his credentials to President Xi Jinping.