Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Beijing Tuesday with a delegation from the National Council of Namibia.

In meeting with M. Mensah-Williams, vice chairwoman of the National Council of Namibia and delegation head, Jia said China and Namibia scored smooth growth in bilateral ties during the past 14 years after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

China attaches importance to its ties with Namibia and is willing to explore new ways and means for expanding bilateral cooperation so as to bring bilateral relations up to a new high, he said.

CPPCC National Committee also hoped to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Namibian National Council and made its contribution to state-to-state cooperative relations, he said.

Mensah-Williams thanked China's support to Namibia during the country's struggle for independence and after it gained independence. She spoke highly of the relations between CPPCC and Namibian National Council and wished to further such ties through the visit.

The delegation is in China for a one-week visit at the invitation of the CPPCC National Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2004)