The Namibian government on Thursday dismissed as fabricated local media reports that China planned to construct a naval base along Namibia’s coast.

“The ministry of foreign affairs wishes to unequivocally state that there are no discussions between the Republic of Namibia and the People’s Republic of China regarding the establishment by the latter of a naval base in Namibia,” the ministry said in a statement.

On Tuesday, a local daily paper carried an article headlined “Chinese naval base for Walvis” quoting from an allegedly official letter. According to the ministry the letter was forged.

The alleged “confidential letter” appeared to have been written by the Namibian http://notjustafrica.com/namibias-government-shuts-down-china-naval-base-reports/ ambassador to China and addressed to the permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs after a meeting.