On March 24, 2026, Ambassador Zhao Weiping published an article entitled “China will consistently expand high-standard opening up and provide the most-needed certainty to world peace and development” in the Namibian Sun, and elaborated on key highlights of the just-concluded 2026 China’s “Two Sessions”. The full text is as follows:

China’s annual “Two Sessions” serve as an important window for the world to observe the direction of China’s policies. The year 2026 marks the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Against the backdrop of sluggish global economic growth, ongoing tariff frictions and the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East, the just-concluded “Two Sessions” have attracted widespread attention from the international community. I would like to take this opportunity to share with Namibian readers some key highlights from this year’s “Two Sessions”.

China’s economy has proved remarkably resilient and will continue to inject strong momentum into global development. Delivered at the “Two Sessions”, the Report on the Work of the Government reveals that China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5 percent in 2025, reaching 20 trillion US dollars. Over the past five years, China’s economy has grown at an average rate of 5.4 percent — accounting for around 30 percent of global growth, greater than the contribution of the G7 Western countries combined. As the most stable engine of global economy, China’s economy is targeted to grow by 4.5 to 5 percent in 2026, which will constantly provide confidence and stability to the global economy. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, a key highlight of China’s economic upgrading will be technology empowerment. China leads the way in the research, development and application of many high and new technology industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, robotics, quantum technology and new-energy vehicles. More technological innovations will be widely applied in manufacturing, making China’s economy smarter, greener, and more sustainable.

China will continue to expand high-standard opening up and enable China’s large market to provide enormous opportunities for the world. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will play a role as not only “the world’s factory” but also “the world’s market”. China is strongly committed to supporting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, upholding the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and defending a fair and open economic and trade order. The world can count on China to deliver new contributions to strong and sustainable global growth. To date, China has granted unilateral visa exemption to 50 countries and made mutual visa-free entry arrangements with 29 countries. Going forward, China will continue to expand the fast track for people-to-people exchanges. China will fully implement zero-tariff access for 100 percent of African imports as from May 1, 2026. China is negotiating and signing the China-Africa Common Development Partnership Agreement (CADEPA) with African countries, and will further expand market access for African products exported to China by upgrading measures like the China’s “green channel”. These are new measures by China to expand high-standard opening up and will ultimately provide new development opportunities for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

China’s diplomacy will continue to maintain strategic resolve and contribute the most significant certainty to world peace and development. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated at a press conference during the “Two Sessions” that China’s diplomacy firmly upholds international rule of law and fairness and justice, firmly opposes all unilateral acts, power politics and bullying, firmly observes and fulfills our international obligations, and firmly stands on the right side of history. As the world’s most important force for peace, for stability and for justice, China stands ready to work with all like-minded countries to pursue the noble goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and write new chapters of peace, development and win-win cooperation for our times. Wang Yi stated China’s principled position on the Iran issue that, this is a war that should not have happened — it is a war that does no one any good. China is of the view that to find the right and proper solution to the issues relating to Iran and the Middle East, the following fundamental principles must be observed: respecting national sovereignty, rejecting the abuse of force, noninterference in internal affairs, promoting political settlement of hotspot issues with major countries should playing a constructive role and using their strengths in goodwill. China stands ready to work with Middle Eastern countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, and restore order to the Middle East, restore tranquility to the people, and restore peace to the world.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, and is also designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. China-Africa relations will see many new developments in 2026. China will host multiple African leaders to strengthen mutual support as all-weather partners and write a new chapter of our shared journey. Nearly 600 exciting events will take place under the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. China is always ready to work with our African brothers and sisters to draw inspiration from our civilizational heritages, forge a stronger bond between our people, and carry forward our friendship for many generations to come. As Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, I am full of confidence in the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Namibia in the period ahead. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Namibia’s 6th National Development Plan align in many respects in terms of both timeline and developing direction. China firmly supports Namibia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and stands ready to work with Namibia to advance modernization. The Chinese Embassy in Namibia will continue to play its role as a bridge and actively promote exchanges and cooperation across various fields between our two countries. This year, the Embassy will host a series of celebration events, including the “Chinese and Namibian Cultural Temple Fair”, to enhance people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Namibia, and to carry forward the long-standing traditional friendship between the two nations.