Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has lauded the transformative impact of Chinese investment on Namibia's economy, particularly in the uranium mining sector.
The mining industry plays a crucial role in Namibia's economy, contributing approximately 14.4 percent to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
The uranium mining project stands as China's largest single industrial investment in Africa and exemplifies successful cooperation between China and Namibia. The project has positioned Namibia as a leading global uranium producer, as President Mbumba noted in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday.
"A project like that in the first place in a country which needs employment, in a country which needs technology, in a country which you needs development, it's very, very important to have champions in every respect. You have to have champions, champions in terms of industry, champions in terms of mining. And to be recognized that we are the second or third largest producer of uranium in the world, and to have a company which is strong and the company that is also connected to a major nation is very beneficial to us. And they did not stop there, they also extend to the old Rossing Uranium Mine. So it is become now an industry known and identified by Namibians and for Namibia as a country," said Mbumba.
The Rossing Uranium Mine has been operational for 48 years and is the largest and longest-operational open-pit uranium mine in the world. In 2019, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto officially handed over Rossing to its new majority shareholder, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
According to Mbumba, the China-Namibia uranium mining project has contributed about 6 percent to 7 percent of Namibia's GDP, created around 8,000 high-paying jobs, and brought in nearly 1 billion Namibian dollars (about 57 million U.S. dollars) in tax revenue.
"And remember, for 3 million people, that's quite a [lot of] money in the bank. Not in the pocket, but in the bank," Mbumba said.
Chinese investment fuels Namibia’s uranium boom, drives economic growth: Namibian president
Spring Festival celebrations in China are in full swing, with visitors treated to a thrilling spectacle of traditional performances, local customs, and warm hospitality.
In Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, the city is alive with the joy and excitement as people enjoy traditional temple fairs by day and lantern displays at night.
At a park in the Wanbai District, the festive atmosphere is truly captivating, with acrobatics, dragon dances, and yangko performances drawing large crowds.
When the night curtain falls, dozens of large lantern installations transform the park into a dreamlike world of lights and shadows.
"This year's lanterns are beautiful, very beautiful.It gives me the feeling of visiting a temple fair in my childhood. The New Year flavor in Shanxi is very strong," said Sun Yaling, a tourist.
This year, the lantern exhibition at the temple fair is bigger than ever, with stunning displays including a mountain laser show and animated insect lanterns, both of which have become crowd favorites.
In Tongren City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, the atmosphere during the Spring Festival is vibrant and full of energy.
The city was abuzz with intangible cultural heritage parades and traditional Chinese New Year activities that bring a strong sense of local culture.
As the sun goes down, parade teams make their way through an old street, where performers showcase traditional ethnic performances such as dragon dance, and Miao ethnic costume displays.
The city also hosted a variety of performances, including a lantern festival, Nuo Opera, a religious ritual to ward off evil spirits, and bonfire celebrations, all of which reflect the region's rich cultural heritage and festive spirit.
During the Spring Festival holiday, the scenic spot of Lijiang in southwest China's Yunnan Province, including the Lijiang Ancient Town and the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area, saw a surge in tourists.
The region's unique Naxi culture and gorgeous snowy mountain landscapes continue to attract visitors from across the country.
In Lijiang Ancient Town, the streets were bustling with visitors, who immersed themselves in a vibrant array of colorful folk performances.
Local residents, dressed in traditional ethnic costumes, perform the lively Naxi dance, celebrating the Chinese New Year with tourists.
"I saw a lot of programs with ethnic minority characteristics after visiting the Lijiang Ancient Town. The different cultures felt very different from ours. Anyway, I liked it very much. It was the first time I felt such a warm and strong Spring Festival atmosphere," said Dong Chao, tourist from Henan Province.
Meanwhile, the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area also attracted a large number of visitors during the Spring Festival holiday.
Official data from the scenic spot showed that from the first day of the Chinese New Year, the scenic area has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors per day. To accommodate the large crowds, the park has adjusted its opening hours, starting operations at 06:00 instead of the usual 08:00. "Over 500 volunteers from our 13 service teams at the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area are fully dedicated to assisting with receiving tourists. In addition to offering guidance and travel route consultations, we also provide visitors with complimentary candy, boiled water, and ginger syrup. We hope to make the the visitor experience smoother, while also extending warm hospitality," said Tang Jianheng, a volunteer at the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic spot.
China's Spring Festival celebrations showcase rich cultural heritage