Namibian Ambassador to China Elia G. Kaiyamo

I am delighted to once again greet you at the eve of this new year, the Year of the Snake, as we learn from the wise Chinese the Year of Snake symbolises renewal, transformation, and growth. Snakes are known for their ability to shed their skin, symbolizing the process of letting go of the old and embracing the new.

Namibia and China bilateral relations are also moving in the right direction of growth, with the highly significant and milestone vista of Chinese Foreign Minister His Excellency Wang Yi to Namibia at the beginning of this year. Another highlight that will significantly enhance and grow the bilateral relations in the right direction is the fact that Namibia will soon in the new year, install the first woman President. President-Elect Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a product of the Beijing Women's Conference of 1995, and has a special regard and desire for enhancing Namibia-China bilateral relations, having been a former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for Namibia.

In this new era as proclaimed by His Excellency President Xi Jinping, Africa and China relations are moving in the right direction based on mutual cooperation and win-win friendship. Together Africa and China will play an important role in the future of a balanced and well-resourced world. In this regard increased and improved people-to-people exchanges, sharing of ideas and supporting each other in all areas remain important objectives.

The Global Times is an iconic news media of the Peoples Republic, we have the highest regard for the quality of news information, the unbiased but unapologetic stance in defense of its motherland and the paper's proactive engagement of foreign ambassador and diplomats in China.

I wish the Global Times and all its readers a prosperous, healthy and successful Year of the Snake!

I thank you.