Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, shakes hands with Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. Wu Bangguo held talks with Theo-Ben Gurirab here on Friday. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
WINDHOEK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Namibia conferred on how to advance cooperation between the two parliaments here on Friday and the two sides agreed to step up efforts to push forward the cooperation to a higher level.
The pledge was made during the talks held between Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab and his visiting Chinese counterpart Wu Bangguo. They also reaffirmed the commitment to continue their constructive efforts to promote the ties between the two nations and the two peoples.
Wu, Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China's top legislative body, spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the two nations that have endured the transition of the international situation, noting that Namibia has always been one of China's friends of "all weathers".
The bilateral relationship had developed well since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1990, Wu said, highlighting frequent high-level contacts, strong political trust, positive cooperation and close coordination in international issues.
Wu proposed to strengthen the high-level exchange among governmental organs, legislative bodies as well as the ruling parties, cement economic and trade cooperation with mutual benefits, expand cooperation in humanitarian fields such as education, health, culture and tourism, and consolidate bilateral coordination on such multilateral issues as UN reform, climate changes and international economic governance.
On interparliamentary cooperation, Wu expressed his hope that the two parliaments could further their exchange on the successful experience of national development, legislation and boosting of national economy in an aim to enrich the bilateral relationship with new ingredients.
Wu also voiced China's commitment to further develop the China- Africa friendship and enhance the new China-Africa strategic partnership to a higher level.
Echoing Wu's proposal to nurture the cooperation between the two parliaments, Gurirab welcomed Wu's visit to Namibia, the first one ever paid by a Chinese top legislator to the country, and expressed his willingness to cement Namibia-China relations by furthering cooperating with the NPC.
Gurirab also reiterated that Namibia would continue to uphold the one-China policy.
Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, shakes hands with Asser Kapere, chairman of Namibia's National Council, in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. Wu Bangguo met with Asser Kapere on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
One the same day, Wu also met with Chairman of Namibia's National Council Asser Kapere, expressing his appreciation to Namibia's long-term adherence to the one-China policy and supports for the country to safeguard its fundamental interests on many significant issues.
In return, China will continue to back Namibia's efforts to maintain national sovereignty, territory integrity and promote social and economic development, Wu told Kapere, expressing his hope that the NPC could work closer with Namibia's National Council on a wide range of issues.
As Gurirab's guest, Wu arrived in Namibia on Thursday. Namibia is the first leg of Wu's four-nation trip to Africa and Asia. He is also scheduled to visit Angola, South Africa and Maldives.
Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, and Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab (2nd R) pose for group photo at the Namibian National Assembly in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. Wu Bangguo held talks with Theo-Ben Gurirab here on Friday. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
Wu Bangguo (L, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, shakes hands with Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab (R, Front) in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. Wu Bangguo held talks with Theo-Ben Gurirab here on Friday. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Wu Bangguo (C, Back), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, and Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab (4th R, Back) attend the signing ceremony of documents on Sino-Namibian cooperation in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
Wu Bangguo (3rd R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, holds talks with Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, holds talks with Asser Kapere, chairman of Namibia's National Council, in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Wu Bangguo (R, Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, shakes hands with Asser Kapere (L, Front), chairman of Namibia's National Council, in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. Wu Bangguo met with Asser Kapere on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
Wu Bangguo (3rd R, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, holds talks with Asser Kapere, chairman of Namibia's National Council, in Windhoek, Namibia, May 20, 2011. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)