Namibian delegates explore governance, early-warning practices in Shanghai

​Namibian delegates receive an introduction to the work of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at a practice site for whole-process people's democracy. [Photo by Xu Feiyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation from Namibia visited Shanghai on July 1 to learn about China's approaches to public participation, policy implementation, and disaster preparedness.

The visits to the Whole-process People's Democracy Practice Site of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Committees in Shanghai at No 268 East Fugui Avenue and the Shanghai Meteorological Museum at No 166 Puxi Road formed part of a training program organized by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office from June 29 to July 4.

At the practice site, the delegates received an introduction to the CPPCC and the work of its Shanghai committee. The CPPCC brings together representatives from political parties, people's organizations, and different sectors of society to deliberate on public affairs, offer policy recommendations, and participate in consultations. In Shanghai, its work includes gathering public views, supporting the city's development, and addressing issues that affect residents' daily lives.

The delegates showed particular interest in a digital platform that collects suggestions and requests submitted by residents through Committee Members' Workshops, Sector-Specific Members' Workstations and Grassroots Contact Points across the city. The information is forwarded to the relevant government departments, while responses and follow-up actions can be tracked through the system.

​George Sankwasa Mubita asks a question during a discussion with representatives of the Shanghai CPPCC. [Photo by Xu Feiyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

During discussions with representatives of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, the delegates asked how long proposals typically take to receive responses, how members are held accountable, and how public participation is encouraged.

They learned that some issues can be addressed in as little as one month, while proposals are generally required to be processed within one year. Before recommendations are submitted to government departments, views are gathered from different groups, discussed with relevant parties, and refined through consultation.

Officials also highlighted efforts to engage groups such as delivery workers, an emerging social group in Shanghai whose perspectives are regarded as important to the city's future development.

George Sankwasa Mubita, manager of strategy and organisational performance at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management and head of the delegation, said China's governance system had produced tangible results and offered useful lessons for other countries.

"China has used its own traditions and values to develop a modern system that works for its people," he said. "That gives us hope that we can also develop systems suited to our own countries."

Mubita said he was particularly interested in how China turns development strategies into concrete results, including how policies are formulated, monitored, and evaluated, and how long-term plans are effectively implemented.

Later, at the Shanghai Meteorological Museum, the delegation learned about the city's history of weather observation, forecasting, and public early warning services.

They were introduced to China Meteorological Administration (CMA)'s MAZU solution, a joint action for the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative, to build an early warning service network and to share practical experience and technological achievements with global partners.

​Delegates view the system interface of the MAZU AI agent at the Shanghai Meteorological Service. [Photo by Xu Feiyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Under CMA's MAZU Solution, an AI Agent for Urban Multi-Hazard Early Warning spearheaded by the Shanghai Meteorological Service deeply integrates advanced algorithms and multi-source data with cloud warning systems and meteorological models, featuring a unified intelligent framework for all-in-one devices, tablets and mobile phones. The agent provides tailored services ranging from extreme-weather monitoring to emergency response.

Mubita described the system as "very impressive", saying it could help countries respond more effectively to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change.

Looking ahead, he said Namibia hoped to deepen exchanges with China on governance. He added that cooperation should extend beyond assistance, and that sharing governance lessons with young politicians could help reshape mindsets and deliver more sustainable long-term benefits than donations alone.