Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks Thursday when he met with Namibian Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

He said that the Chinese side is willing to make further efforts with the Namibian side to promote friendly cooperation in various fiends in the interest to the peoples of the two countries.

Reviewing the bilateral relations between China and Namibia, he said, the past 12 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations witnessed satisfactory progress in friendly cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.

"We are highly appreciated of the Namibian government for its support to the Chinese government on issues of human right, Taiwan and Tibet," said the visiting Chinese chairman, who arrived here Wednesday for a five-day official visit to Namibia.

He told the Namibian prime minister that he was very pleased to see the remarkable achievements made by the Namibian people in maintaining the unification of the country and the territorial integrity as well as national reconciliation.

"As China is focusing on its all efforts in modernization program," he said, "China needs a long peaceful environment in the world. The friendly relations between China and Namibia serve part of such peaceful environment."

Theo-Ben Gurirab said that Li's visit provided another opportunity for him to exchange views with the Chinese leader on the issues of common concern. Namibia and China enjoy a long history of friendly relations, he said, adding: "We have had similar experience and now face similar challenges."

The Namibian prime minister said that China is Namibia's real and reliable friend. The existing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will be further consolidated thanks to Li's visit to Namibia.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2003)