President Jiang Zemin met with Namibian President Sam Nujoma November 22 in Beijing.

Calling President Nujoma an old friend of the Chinese people, Jiang said that he met with him on several occasions, discussing Sino-Namibian relations and the international issues and reaching broad consensus. He congratulated Nujoma on his reelection as chairman of the Southern African Development Community and his success in presiding over the United Nations Millennium Summit.

Jiang said bilateral relations between China and Namibia have maintained a good development momentum, and there have been frequent exchanges of visits, and the two countries have trusted, supported and helped each other, and have been "all-weather friends" no matter how the international situation changes.

The two countries are working hard to promote economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said, adding that enormous potential exists for mutually beneficial cooperation. As long as the two sides find suitable ways and areas of cooperation, they will have business opportunities.

He said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Namibian diplomatic relations, and the two countries have had fruitful cooperation in international affairs, political and other areas. China is satisfied with that.

The development of long-term, stable and all-round relations of cooperation between the two countries is of significance to pushing forward cooperation among developing countries and promoting world peace and progress, he said.

Nujoma said the Namibian government and people highly value the traditional friendship with China, and Sino-Namibian friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the Chinese government and people had offered moral and material assistance to the Namibian people when the latter fought for national independence and liberation. He said Namibia is satisfied with the growth of bilateral relations, expressing the hope that the two governments will intensify efforts to promote economic and trade cooperation, especially in the areas of agriculture and fisheries.

He also spoke highly of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, which was held in Beijing last month, and said that such a forum will help promote the development of relations between China and African countries.

Jiang said the forum was a complete success thanks to joint efforts. The two document endorsed at the forum -- the Beijing Declaration and the guideline for economic and social development cooperation -- advocate the establishment of a new international political and economic order and form a new framework for Sino- African cooperation.

He said that he visited the African continent three times in recent years, and met with many African leaders on various international occasions, where he feels that African leaders have a strong sense of responsibility and good aspirations for the stability and enlightenment of the continent.

Africa has a vast territory and abundant resources. Therefore, it has an enormous potential for development and is full of hope, Jiang said, adding that peace and stability are the prerequisite for the progress in Africa.

He said that China supports African countries to independently and peacefully settle conflicts in the African continent through consultation and in the spirit of unity and national reconciliation.

(People's Daily 11/23/2000)