WINDHOEK, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Namibia exported the first 21 tonnes of beef to China on Thursday, in a move that is set to diversify the southern African nation's destinations for export.

At a send-off event in Windhoek, meat processing and marketing entity, Meatco Board Chairperson, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun said, the entity and the nation at large is excited about entering into an alternative market.

"Despite the challenging times producers are faced with, such as the economy and recurring drought, we would like to commend you the producers for providing us with quality produce," she added.

Charge d'Affaires of Chinese Embassy in Namibia Yang Jun said at the event that Namibia is the only African country to export beef to China.

"This Namibian beef is of high quality," he said, adding that the export of beef to China is set to further open other potential avenues for business and trade.

Meanwhile, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Alpheus Naruseb said the first consignment is irrefutable proof that the relationship between China and Namibia is one of give and take and is mutually beneficial.

In 2016, Namibia and China signed a milestone agreement that would see A-grade beef enter the massive Asian market, making it the only country in Africa to export beef to that country.