By Chrispin Inambao WINDHOEK Before departing for South Africa, Chinese President Hu Jintao concluded his Namibian tour by meeting the President of Swapo Party, Sam Nujoma, whom he praised for making a “greater” contribution to fortify ties between the two countries. The meeting with Nujoma was the third and last of a clogged itinerary for the Chinese President who yesterday had a meeting with Chinese businessmen before being whisked to the airport where he departed amidst pomp and fanfare. Nujoma expressed “profound gratitude” to China for the political, diplomatic, moral and material support it rendered during the dark days of the national liberation movement. “The bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Swapo Party and the Communist Party of China continued to be cemented and consolidated after our independence in 1990. The Namibian people highly value the continued support of the People’s Republic of China to our country in the different areas of economic development,” said the founding President. He said after his last visit to China last May, many businessmen and women visited Namibia “with the purpose of promoting commercial trade with their Namibian counterparts”. Nujoma felt the two parties Swapo and the Communist Party must continue to work together in order to accelerate economic development and to enhance mutually beneficial commercial trade, investments and joint ventures between the two countries and peoples. “Namibia is highly impressed by the Chinese technological advancements in various areas of economic development especially industrial, manufacturing and value addition to your natural resources,” Nujoma told Hu Jintao and several members of the entourage that included Wang Huning, a director for policy research in the Central Communist Party of China (CCPC). Nujoma expressed gratification that the two governments “have signed milestone bilateral agreements in the areas of social and economic development, commerce and tourism”. On the soft loan and grant amounting to N$60 million, Nujoma said, “The leadership of the Swapo Party is grateful for the financial assistance granted to the Namibian Government from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.” “We strongly believe that these agreements and the financial assistance granted to Namibia will add more impetus to the acceleration of economic growth and development in our country,” stated the ruling Swapo Party leader who is greatly admired by the Chinese. On the political front, the Swapo Party leader reiterated his organisation’s policy of supporting the one-China policy and the speedy integration of Taiwan into China. President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Prime Minister Nahas Angula, several Cabinet ministers members of the diplomatic corps, Chinese business people and expatriates were present at Hosea Kutako International Airport to bid farewell to the Chinese leader. The send-off was equally as warm as the welcoming reception as several cultural groups danced with vigour for Hu Jintao and his delegation that included First Lady Liu Yongqin.