Chinese-built aquaculture center handed over to Namibia

A Chinese-built inland aquaculture center was handed over to the government of Namibia on Friday.

The Hardap Inland Aquaculture Center, about 270 kilometers from capital Windhoek, was constructed by the Sinohydro Tianjin Engineering on behalf of the Chinese government.

Chinese Charge d'affaires ad interim in Namibia, Wu Wei, said China and Namibia agreed to build the center in April 2012 and construction started in Nov. 2014.

"China values its friendly relations with Namibia, and the Chinese government attaches great importance to the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries," he said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1990, bilateral relations have made much headway, with growing trade and economic cooperation.

Wu said there has been fruitful exchange and cooperation in fishery, education, culture, public health, agriculture and other fields.

"Namibia has become one of the most important trade partners and investment destination countries of China among the African countries. More and more Chinese enterprises have established their businesses or made investment here," he said.

The Hardap Center, Wu said, is an important project supported by the Chinese Government and another symbol of the all-weather friendship between China and Namibia.

"I hope that this project can definitely benefit local Namibians, and more projects about fishery can be promoted and implemented. I also hope that the Ministry of Fisheries and the local government will provide this center with needed support and necessary assistance, so as to benefit more and more local people," he said. Endit