Chinese premier, top legislator meet Namibian president

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and China's top legislator Li Zhanshu met with Namibian President Hage Geingob in Beijing Friday, vowing to boost bilateral relations.

Calling Namibia China's important cooperation partner in Africa, Premier Li said China expected to consolidate political trust with Namibia, enhance win-win cooperation and coordination in regional and global affairs to jointly build a brighter future for bilateral ties.

Hailing the progress and broad prospects of China-Namibia substantial cooperation, Premier Li said China hoped to synergize development strategies with Namibia, and deepen cooperation in such key areas as agriculture and agricultural technology, infrastructure, production capacity and tourism.

The premier vowed joint efforts with Namibia to support economic globalization as well as trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, take a clear stand to oppose trade protectionism, and promote common development and mutual benefits.

Hailing the traditional friendship between the two countries, Geingob said that the two sides had agreed to update their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and signed a series of important cooperation documents.

"This will further boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and strategy," he said.

Geingob said Namibia expected to deepen cooperation with China in various areas and boost stronger ties.

In his meeting with Geingob, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the NPC was willing to work with the Namibian side to implement the consensus reached by their heads of state, and boost closer friendly exchanges.

He called on the two sides to firmly support win-win China-Africa cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative.

Li Zhanshu asked the two sides to offer a better investment environment and legal protection for each other's investors, consolidate the foundation of social and public opinion for China-Namibia friendship, and boost greater development of bilateral ties in the new era.

Geingob spoke highly of China's policy to Africa, adding his country hoped to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China in various areas and support more legislative exchanges between the two countries.

On Friday afternoon, Geingob also laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes in downtown Beijing.