WINDHOEK, May 9 -- Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has praised Thursday the long standing relationship between his country and China.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Chinese-owned Husab uranium mine near coastal city Swakopmund, Pohamba expressed his best wishes to the shareholders and the Chinese government.

The president said the relationship between the peoples of Namibia and China is not something that started since Namibia got its independence, but was a "long-standing relationship".

He said the relationship dates back to 1960s when former President Sam Nujoma went to China looking for assistance to help fight the South African apartheid regime.

"The Chinese gave us a lot of guns that we used to fight the racist apartheid occupiers of our country," Pohamba said.

The president also said the relationship between the two countries has now evolved to trade and economic corporation noting that it is a relationship between two equal partners despite China' s large population.

"China has the biggest population in the world. I think 1.3 billion and we are just 2.1 million. And the relationship between the 1.3 billion and the 2.1 million people is conducted on an equal basis. The Chinese don't say 'hey listen to us we are big,' they don't say so. We are happy with this relationship. They did help us, they are helping us and I want to see them continue helping us."