China and Botswana announce establishment of strategic partnership

China and Botswana on Thursday announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Beijing.

President Masisi is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The opening ceremony of the summit was held on Thursday morning.

President Xi said China and Botswana have a long-standing tradition of friendship and have always given each other sincere support.

In recent years, both sides have made unity and cooperation the cornerstone of their policies and prioritized the improvement of people's well-being, which has led to significant development in their bilateral relations, he said.

Noting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi said both sides should systematically summarize the successful experiences of the past 50 years, and continue to be partners with mutual trust and jointly develop with a closer bond.

The two countries should firmly support each other and strengthen cooperation in fields such as industry, agriculture, minerals, clean energy, education and health care, he said.

Xi said China-Africa cooperation has now gained strong momentum, which has not only brought tangible benefits to Chinese and African peoples, but has also given a strong impetus to international cooperation with Africa and created favorable conditions for the continent's development and revitalization.

China is ready to work with Botswana to implement the outcomes of the summit to better benefit the two peoples, he said.

For his part, Masisi said Botswana fully supports the vision outlined at the FOCAC summit and believes that it will come true.

"Today is a historic moment in Africa-China relations," he said, adding that the African side is excited about and inspired by President Xi's speech at the opening ceremony of the summit, in which he announced partnership actions in support of China and Africa joining hands to advance modernization, including Chinese policy of further opening up to Africa.

Botswana firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and believes that the Chinese people should and are fully capable of realizing national reunification, he said.

Masisi added that Botswana is ready to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to promote the further development of bilateral relations.