Namibia and China's relationship is based on political understanding, cultural cooperation, and infrastructure development.
President Nangolo Mbumba reaffirmed this at the ongoing 22nd Doha Forum's discussion segment titled 'China's Role in a Rising Global South: Redefining the Future of the World Order.'
The segment explored how China's growing influence in the global south impacts the balance of power in international governance.
Dr. Mbumba acknowledged China's conduct towards Africa as having started during the continent's fight against colonialism and transitioned to cooperation anchored on a win-win basis.
The impact of such cooperation, most particularly on the African continent but also elsewhere, he says, has been transformational for developing economies such as Namibia.
"In terms of modern cooperation, they are the number one miner of uranium in Namibia. Other countries are involved too, but even the one mine which used to belong to a British company, they sold it to the Chinese. We did not tell them to sell, but these are market forces. In that way, we have certain things we are doing with the Chinese in terms of mining and trade. They have opened up their trade; we can market our beef, mutton, dates, grapes, and many other things, and in that way, it is really about cooperating with one another, not forcing."
But the increased trade with China is not meant to close off trade between Africa and the West.
"Also, if Western countries want to compete, the competition is open. China is opening up the business, and their companies also. Which British, German, or Italian company is going right now to build a road in Africa? They are doing other things; they are into highly sophisticated items. But the Chinese have companies that can do the dirty work, if you can put it that way—cleaning up things, building roads, opening mines. So in terms of us, ours is based on political understanding, cultural cooperation, and exchanging academic people. We are developing green hydrogen in Namibia together with European companies, especially the Netherlands, Belgium, and others, but also the Chinese are welcome to come and work with us; we are not blocking anybody. We have a unique relationship with each and every country."