China is ready to work with Namibia to promote the all-round development of bilateral relations, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said Thursday.

 

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark in a meeting with former Namibian President Sam Nujoma, who is also head of Namibia's ruling South West African People's Organization (SWAPO).

 

China and Namibia enjoy a sound development of bilateral relations at present, with frequent high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in various fields, Li said.

 

Speaking highly of the party-to-party relations between the two countries, Li said the CPC will increase exchanges and cooperation with the SWAPO in party building and state governing fields.

 

Li also spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and Africa, noting this year is the 50th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African nations.

 

"To enhance the China-Africa solidarity and cooperation is always taken as an important part of China's independent foreign policy of peace," Li said.

 

Nujoma expressed appreciation for China's achievements in economic and social progress and thanked China for supporting Namibia in the past.

 

The SWAPO and Namibian government attach great importance to the friendly relations with China, and will further promote the mutually-beneficial cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade, science, technology and resources exploitation, Nujoma said.

 

Namibia would always adhere to the one-China policy, he noted.

 

The summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing this year. Nujoma said the summit is of great importance to push for the Africa-China exchanges in various fields.

 

Nujoma will stay in China until May 26.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2006)