President Dr Hage Geingob's statement at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 05 December 2015

12308798 556058611217300 6229937512625310151 nOn behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia and on my own behalf, I would like to thank the government and people of the Republic of South Africa for the warm hospitality extended to us since our arrival in Johannesburg.

The second FOCAC is being held for the first time in Africa, and in southern Africa in particular. This is testimony of a maturing partnership. The theme of China and Africa Progressing Together in a Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development is highly appropriate and speaks respectfully towards Africa's demand for equal partnership and mutually beneficial development.

 

Excellencies,

The AU Agenda 2063 constitutes Africa's political and economic blue print and embodies our developmental aspirations. Our collective determination to bring about development on our continent is tempered by the understanding that we cannot do it alone. To this extent, our partnership with China is one built on long lasting and historic solidarity, as well as mutual respect. It is therefore offensive when we are lectured by certain nations and warned about the so called Chinese colonization of Africa. It is ironic that those who warn us are the same nations who sat around the table at the Berlin Conference in 1884 and carved out colonies in Africa with the sole intent to develop their countries with our mineral resources and the blood and sweat of our forced labour. The same countries who complain about Chinese investment in Africa are themselves recipients of large scale Chinese investment. As these nations have faith in their capacity to negotiate the best deals for themselves, Africans too have this same capacity.

Africa is free now and so is our ability to deal with those we choose to deal with, on our terms. The wholesale export of our resources has been replaced with a focus on value-addition, skills development and technology transfer.

Excellencies, China's investment in Africa over the past several decades has been invaluable.These include investments in transport infrastructure development and capacity building. This has enhanced Africa's capability in moving goods and services. This level of support has existed for decades and is not a new trend as some may have us believe. Click here to continue reading....

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