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 China |  Namibia |
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Governmental relations between thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) and theRepublic of Namibia were first established the day after Namibia's independence, but relations with Namibian independence movements date back to the 1960s.[1]
Beginning in the 1960s, during theNamibian War of Independence, China provided various indigenous Namibian independence movements (at firstSouth West African National Union (SWANU))[2] and laterSouth West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) with "moral and material support".[1]
From 1989 to 1990, China sent 20 personnel to Namibia to help monitors its elections; this was China's first involvement inUnited Nations peacekeeping efforts in Africa.[3]: 205
Namibia and the PRC established relations on 22 March 1990, which was the day after Namibia's independence.[1] The government of Namibia adheres to theOne-China policy.[4]
In 2018, China and Namibia formed a comprehensive strategic partnership.[5]: 211
Namibia was among the African countries which expressed support for the Chinese government during the2019-2020 Hong Kong protests.[3]: 41 In January 2020, Namibia's land reform minister stated that Namibia fully supports Chinese territorial integrity and sovereignty, including with respect to Hong Kong.[3]: 41
China and Namibia have developed close economic relations, with trade increasing two-fold between the two countries from 2003 to 2006.
Namibia is a major destination forChinese investment inuranium mining.[6]: 205 Chinese companies have invested in Namibia's three biggest uranium producers:Husab,Langer Heinrich, andRössing.[6]: 205
From 2000 to 2011, there are approximately 64 Chinese official development finance projects identified in Namibia through various media reports.[7] During a February 2007 visit,Chinese PresidentHu Jintao pledged Namibia "RMB 1 billion of concessional loans, 100 millionUS dollars of preferential export buyer's credit, RMB 30 millionyuan of grants and RMB 30 million of interest-free loans..."[1] In November 2005, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohama and Chinese Politburo member Li Chang Chun witnessed the signing of a 250 million Yuan concessional loan byExport-Import Bank of China to be used for purchasing locomotives and trains for a new railway being built in northern Namibia.[8]
A large number of Chinese are estimated to have taken up residence in Namibia sinceindependence. In 2006, their number was estimated at 40,000.[9]
In April 2008, a weapons shipment on theAn Yue Jiang sailed from China and originally planned to dock at theSouth African port ofDurban and unload its cargo for shipment to landlocked Zimbabwe. However, there were widespread protests by persons concerned that the arms would be used byRobert Mugabe's regime in suppressing political opposition in the wake of disputedZimbabwean presidential election which had taken place a month earlier. Seeking a destination for the ship, it was rumored that it would port on Namibia's coast atWalvis Bay. On 24 April 2008, a protest took place in Namibia's capital ofWindhoek, where two hundred protesters marched from aZoo Park in central Windhoek to the Chinese embassy.[10] Among those leading the protesters were Bishop and SWAPO politicianZephania Kameeta and theLegal Assistance Centre.[10] The ship did not port in Namibia.
Namibia and China also jointly operate the China Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Station which was established in 2001 inSwakopmund, Namibia.[3]: 304 This station tracks Chinese satellites and space missions.[3]: 304
China has anextradition treaty with Namibia.[3]: 188
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