China’s parliamentary leader visits Namibia

• ANGELA KABOZUCHINA’S parliamentary leader Li Zhanshu is expected to visit Namibia this week to finalise several partnership agreements between the two countries.

National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi made this announcement at a media event in Windhoek yesterday. Zhanshu is the chairperson of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, China.

Zhanshu has been described in the media as Chinese president Xi Jinping’s right-hand man.

In a statement yesterday, National Assembly spokesperson David Nahogandja said Zhanshu will lead a Chinese delegation visiting Namibia from today until Thursday.

The delegation is on a three-country African trip with Namibia the final stop. The other two countries are Ethiopia and Mozambique.

Katjavivi said discussions with the Chinese delegation would be about enhancing bilateral relations between the two parliaments, as well as signing an agreement for an exchange programme for parliamentary officials from the two countries.

“We, in the spirit of Harambee – pulling together – hope that such endeavours can reinforce and enhance our country’s objective of seeking strategic partnerships, which could help the country to achieve its vision of prosperity for all,” Nahogandja said.

Katjavivi also added that the Chinese delegation would donate thirty 4×4 pickup vehicles, as well as camping equipment, for use in anti-poaching operations.

He said the vehicle donation was a response to a formal request by the environment ministry to their Chinese counterparts.

“A memorandum of understanding will also be signed on the treatment of eye cataract patients and the donation of eye cataract equipment to the Windhoek Central Hospital, under a programme codenamed ‘Brightness’,” Katjavivi said.

The Chinese parliamentary delegation will also hold talks with other government officials about issues of mutual concern. The Chinese visit comes after President Hage Geingob visited China last month.

Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post described Zhanshu as Chinese president Xi’s most trusted ally and as China’s top legislator.

“Xi’s confidence in Li was built on an old friendship stretching back three decades,” a South China Morning Post report reads.

“In the cut-throat environment of Chinese politics, Xi needs a trusted helper. Surrounded by double-dealers, brother Li from the tender old days seemed a prime choice for an ally,” stated Asia Pacific online current affairs magazine Thediplomat.com in a recent report.

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