WINDHOEK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- China will work with Namibia to translate the outcomes of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent state visit to China into concrete cooperation, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping said Tuesday at a press briefing in Windhoek.
During the July 5-11 visit, the two countries elevated their relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era and signed eight cooperation agreements.
Zhao noted that youth empowerment was given particular emphasis.
China's Ministry of Commerce has awarded scholarships to 87 Namibian students for master's and doctoral studies this year, while the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to promote exchanges and cooperation between their technical and vocational education institutions.
Agricultural cooperation, which could help Namibia translate improved market access into export growth, was another major outcome, according to the ambassador.
The two countries signed a protocol setting phytosanitary requirements for Namibian fresh table grapes to enter the Chinese market. China also announced a regional market-access arrangement for wild aquatic products from Africa, creating new opportunities for Namibian fisheries exports.
These measures followed China's implementation of zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Zhao said China would take further steps to facilitate the entry of African agricultural products into its market.
Cooperation will also extend to healthcare, including medical personnel training, disease control and emergency response, as well as the exploration of pharmaceutical production in Namibia. China also pledged additional grant assistance for development projects in the country.
Zhao said these sectoral measures would support Namibia's broader efforts to accelerate industrialization and attract investment.
Addressing other media questions regarding Namibian efforts to attract foreign direct investment, the ambassador commended the Namibian delegation's push to accelerate domestic industrialization.
Zhao meanwhile assured the media that "nothing will only stay in the papers," promising concrete actions as China works alongside the Namibian government to carry out everything agreed upon by the two nations.
"The key message is that more companies will come to invest in Namibia, to help Namibia advance its industrialization," Zhao said. "There will certainly be concrete actions." ■