China has pledged to support Namibia’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation through expanded access to its zero-tariff policy, as the two countries move to deepen economic cooperation following the elevation of bilateral relations earlier this year.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping said China would support Namibia in using preferential access to the Chinese market to advance development priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Speaking at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Windhoek on Tuesday, Zhao said cooperation would focus on trade, investment and other development initiatives.
“In particular, the Chinese side will actively support Namibia in realising the development goals set out in its Sixth National Development Plan, including helping Namibia fully benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy and push forward its industrialisation and agricultural modernisation,” he said.
The commitment follows President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state visit to China in July, during which the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.
Zhao said the upgraded relationship is expected to expand economic cooperation between the two countries and support Namibia’s development priorities.
“This year is another important year in the history of China-Namibia relations, as the state visit to China by H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, in July was a complete success,” he said.
According to Zhao, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nandi-Ndaitwah agreed to strengthen political support, expand economic cooperation and increase coordination on multilateral issues.
China is already a major economic partner for Namibia, with cooperation spanning trade, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and mining.
Zhao said the two countries had maintained political and economic relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1990 and would now focus on implementing agreements reached during Nandi-Ndaitwah’s visit.
He also highlighted China’s wider economic performance, saying the country continues to account for around 30% of global economic growth.
According to Zhao, China’s gross domestic product grew by 4.7% year on year during the first half of 2026 despite challenging global economic conditions.
He said growth was being supported by developments in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and new energy industries.
“Chinese modernisation is not only profoundly transforming China itself, but is also injecting greater certainty and new momentum into the world economy through China’s complete industrial system, vast market and high-level opening-up,” Zhao said.
China also plans to expand people-to-people cooperation with Namibia, particularly among young people, as well as exchanges in media, culture and the arts.
Zhao said implementation of the agreements reached by the two presidents would provide the framework for expanding future cooperation in trade, investment, industrial development and agriculture.
