28 Sep 2016

The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Eric Molale has commended the out-going ambassador of China, Mr Zheng Zhuqiang for his active involvement and interaction with stakeholders.

Minister Molale, who is also the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, said Mr Zheng’s involvement and interaction was aimed at deepening the existing friendly relations as well as advancing cooperation between Botswana and China.

Speaking at a farewell reception in honour of Mr Zheng who will be leaving Botswana in the beginning of October, Mr Molale said Mr Zheng’s presence was always felt throughout the country. He said the three and half years that he spent in Botswana had indeed been fruitful.

He said they had witnessed a significant growth in the two countries’ level of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the critical sectors of education and health, stating that had been demonstrated by the increasing number of Batswana who continued to benefit from the training opportunities offered by the Chinese government.

Minister Molale said during the ambassador’s tenure, they also witnessed the deployment of a good number of health specialists, particularly those who performed cataract operations in the country.“These benevolent efforts will go a long way in assisting Batswana to achieve their development aspirations of having an educated and informed nation, as well as ensuring quality health for all Batswana,” he said. 

Mr Molale commended the out-going Ambassador Zheng for the instrumental role he played in ensuring that the partnership between the countries was nurtured and sustained for the prosperity of the people of Botswana and China.

For his part, Mr Zheng said the embassy as well as the Chinese community in Botswana continued to render support to local society in education, poverty eradication, agriculture, youth and women empowerment and many others.

He thanked Batswana for their warm and comfortable reception when he first put his feet in the country and assured them that Botswana would remain his second home even after his departure. ENDS