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 )