China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in various fields, including clean energy, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Namibia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.

Hailing the profound friendship between the two countries, Xi praised Namibia's justice on international affairs and its firm support of China's position on issues of core interest. 

Xi pointed out that similar historical encounters made the two countries very related. China has always put small- and medium-sized countries on an equal footing, he added.

Xi stresses that China has opted for socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It strives to build a community with a shared future for mankind and endeavors to bring prosperity to and fight equal rights for developing countries through the Belt and Road Initiative.

Calling China the reliable all-day friend of Africa, Geingob said the two countries have a traditional friendship. He thanked China's firm support for Namibia in its struggle for national independence, liberation and the development of various national undertakings.

Inspired by the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Namibian side is exploring a path of modernization with Namibian characteristics, Geingob said.

Geingob said that Namibia welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in the country, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to promote new developments in bilateral relations.