Chinese company Tencent pilots social media travel application in Namibia
Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China, H.E. Dr Elia George Kaiyamo said this week in Beijing that Chinese internet firm Tencent will first test the social media application, Global QQ in Namibia.
The social media application is similar to WeChat, also owned by Tencent. Global QQ allows explorers to travel worldwide, free of charge, starting with Namibia.
The QQ social media application, being the third largest social media application after Facebook and Whatsapp messenger will also be launched in Ecuador as the only other country where the application will be tested.
“Tencent company is in our view one of China’s most valuable companies” Dr Kaiyamo said at the launch in Beijing, adding that the project will make a considerable contribution to the knowledge and education of the youth throughout the world.
Any Chinese citizen aged 18 and over can participate in the project by uploading their travel videos onto the special page dedicated to the project on the WeChat social media platform.
“I would like to thank the Marketing Division of Tencent company for this initiative to launch this Global QQ project on the four destinations.” Dr Kaiyamo said adding that Namibia is honoured to have been selected for this exceptional project and will be available to work at all times in a win-win partnership with Tencent company.
Former Chief of China Great Wall Antarctic Station, Mr Wang Jianguo said at the launch that Namibia is selected for this project based on its beautiful scenery, exceptional wildlife, cultural heritage but more importantly, for the splendid African night sky in the Namib desert that is world famous.
“Namibia is home to the only space tracking station of China in Africa playing a vital role in China’s space programmes” Chief Operating Officer of the World Wildlife Fund China, Mr Lu Lunyan said.
About 100,000 people, close to 5% of Namibia’s 2.2 million people, are Chinese and playing a prominent role in Namibia, Ambassador Dr Kaiyamo was quoted as saying.
By virtue of participating in the QQ X Project, Namibia hopes to welcome more bona fide Chinese tourists who actually return to their country after their sojourn.
