China 'denies military presence in Namibia'

The Chinese embassy in Namibia has denied reports of massive Chinese military presence in the south-west African country, the Namibian Sun newspaper reports quoting an embassy spokesperson.

Helen Lu Hairong told the newspaper that there had been no talks between the Chinese and Namibian governments about China building a military base at the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Some Namibian MPs have claimed that about 3,500 Chinese troops were receiving training in the country.

The Defence Minister Peter Vilho, while responding to MPs concerns last week, said the reports "were confidential".

China recently denied claims of seeking to establish military bases in Kenya and Tanzania.