1. Bilateral Political Relations
The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia established diplomatic relations on March 22, 1990. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has developed smoothly. In March 2018, the then Namibian President Hage Geingob paid a state visit to China, and the two heads of state announced the establishment of the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.
In recent years, the two countries have enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges and interactions. The main Chinese officials who have visited Namibia include: Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (2017), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu (2018), Vice Premier Sun Chunlan (2019), President Xi Jinping's special envoy and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jiang Zuojun (2024), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Cai Dafeng (2024), and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2025).
The main Namibian officials who have visited China include: President Hage Geingob (who paid a state visit to China in March 2018 and was invited to China in September to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation), President Mbumba (who was invited to China in September 2024 to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation), National Assembly Speaker Katjavivi (who was invited to China to attend conferences in August 2024), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ndaitwah (2017, 2018).
In August 2023, President Xi Jinping met with President Geingob during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. In February 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to President Mbumba over the passing of President Geingob, and a congratulatory message to President Mbumba as the latter had become the new President of Namibia. In September 2024, President Mbumba was invited to China to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, during which President Xi Jinping met with him. In February 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to President Mbumba over the passing of Namibia’s founding President Sam Nujoma.
2. Bilateral Economic and Commercial Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation
China is Namibia's main trading partner. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, China has completed aid projects such as well drilling, economic housing, children's activity centers, rural primary schools, youth training centers, irrigation projects, aquaculture centers, and President Mao Zedong Middle School. In 1994, the two countries signed a trade agreement. In 2004, the two countries established the mechanism of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, and held its second meeting in April 2007, and then held its third meeting in March 2018. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume reached US$1.366 billion, of which China exported US$533 million and imported US$833 million.
3. Bilateral Exchanges in Culture, Education, Health and other fields
The two governments have signed cultural and educational cooperation agreements. In August 2013, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and the University of Namibia jointly established the Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia. China has been sending medical teams to Namibia, with a total of 15 batches of 60 people. Currently, there are 4 Chinese medical experts assisting in Namibia. In December 2005, China announced Namibia as a destination for outbound tourism for Chinese citizens. China and Namibia have also signed an extradition treaty and a treaty of mutual assistance in criminal matters. So far, the two countries have 13 pairs of friendly provinces (cities). In July 2010 and August 2019, two Chinese astronauts delegations visited Namibia.
4. Important Bilateral Agreements and Documents
Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Namibia (1990)
Agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia on Establishing a Political Consultation Mechanism (2000)
Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Namibia on the Establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Commission (2004)
Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Extradition (2005)
Treaty between the Peoples’ Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters(2006)
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Namibia on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (2018)