Namibian Minister of Trade and Industry Immanuel Ngatjizeko has
described China as a most reliable ally and friend of Africa and
Namibia since the days of Africa's colonialization, saying China's
economic rise is to the mutual benefit and progress of Africa and
China.
"China's economic rise and in particular its contribution to the
increase in the global demand for resources such as aluminum,
steel, nickel, copper, oil and gas has immensely contributed to
Africa's importance as a provider of these resources," said the
minister in a written interview with Xinhua earlier this week.
Ngatjizeko said China's economic competitiveness as an exporter
of manufactured industrial and consumer goods have greatly assisted
in reducing the high prices usually paid by African importers to
suppliers of industrial inputs from the West.
"African countries are now profiting from higher export gains
due to China's increased demand for commodities, as well as from
cheaper import prices because of high output of cheap manufactured
goods," he said.
The minister said some countries show fear and suspicion on
China's economic rise because they previously used to enjoy
unfettered market access for consumer and industrial goods in a
majority of international markets.
"But I don't think we should be deterred by it. We in Namibia
and the entire African continent are firmly behind the economic
rise of China and its positive role in shaping the course of
history through constructive diplomatic engagement globally," he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2006 )
