The "Explore People-Centred Cities: China Governance Global Engagement" programme is underway in Shanghai, bringing together diplomatic envoys to exchange experiences on urban governance and development.

Namibia is among the participating countries represented by Ambassador to China Tonata Itenge-Emvula.

Speaking at the programme, Ambassador Itenge-Emvula says the engagement presents another opportunity for Namibia to learn from China's development experience.

Her participation also follows President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China in July, during which nine bilateral agreements were signed.

"What I want: relationships between Namibia and China. How can Namibia benefit? Potentially immense from what we are learning? Namibia is committed to working closely with China. China has a vision for Africa. We want to have the delivery of governance and capacity building."

Kenya's Deputy Head of Mission Lynette Ndile said Shanghai's people-centred development provides lessons for African countries, while such engagements also strengthen exchanges between Africa and China.

"Kenya appreciates how Shanghai has put its people at the centre and uses what they want to see in their city to make sure that everybody in society benefits from it. We hope Kenya will learn more using these study tours, but most importantly, Kenya and Namibia are all participating in FOCAC, which is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and that is the platform that brings us together as African countries so that we continuously exchange."

Also speaking at the event was Koula Sophianou, Cyprus' Ambassador to China, who said, "What Shanghai has achieved is to be a very dynamic and innovative city that attracts lots of business, but at the same time you can see that the cultural heritage, the intangible cultural heritage, is also part of this city. So it's a combination of innovation and development with a rich history of the city and its cultural heritage that makes it quite unique."