08 Sep 2016

The Chinese Embassy has decided to involve China Yunnan Shangri-La arts troupe to participate in Botswana’s golden jubilee celebrations.

The Chinese troupe, together with a Botswana group, would perform at Molapo Piazza on September 21-22, aiming to celebrate BOT50 through a cultural fusion between China and Botswana.

Addressing a press conference in Gaborone on Wednesday, the embassy’s director of political section, Tang Shenping said his country was involved in all Botswana independence celebrations since 1966.

He said China had been working closely with Botswana to celebrate the independence, adding that in 1976, his country sent a camera crew to help Botswana in producing a documentary.

“At that time, Botswana did not have a television station, hence they approached the Chinese government to help in filming a documentary. A crew of 10 came to Botswana and travelled all over doing the documentary, and captured precious moments on how Batswana are united,” he said.

Furthermore, Tang said during the TAICU 20, China managed to send calisthenics coaches to help Botswana to prepare for independence, adding that they had continued to help Botswana, and would take a major role in the golden jubilee celebrations.

He said over the past half century, Botswana had developed steadily and became a model of excellence in Africa.

“Along this journey, China-Botswana relations have also witnessed a smooth and sustainable development in various areas and brought tangible benefits to our two people,” he said.

He said upon the request of the Botswana government and the BOT50 committee, China had been carrying out technical cooperation on BOT50 calisthenics by sending professional calisthenics coaches and providing material assistance, namely costume, boards and performing equipment.

Furthermore, he said since last December, according to their signed Memorandum of Understanding, China dispatched 11 experts to Botswana and finished the training of 150 local coaches as well as more than 3000 students.

Recently, he said a full rehearsal of BOT50 calisthenics was successfully done at the National stadium. ends