02 Oct 2017

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has commended China for the scholarship support the country renders to Batswana students. “Of particular note are the scholarship and the development assistance that China continues to offer to Botswana,”  she observed.

Speaking at the celebration of the 68th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in Gaborone  recently, Dr Venson-Moitoi said currently, China has availed 40 scholarships for Batswana to purse studies in various disciplines in universities of China.

In addition, she explained, are the over 170 government employees who have participated in various short term courses in China, adding that this ‘valuable’ support will go a long way in complementing Botswana’s efforts to equip Batswana with requisite skills that will ultimately improve their lives.

The minister further stated that logistical preparations for the construction of Mmopane Primary School, which will be financed by a grant from the Chinese government, was at an advanced stage and that construction was expected to begin soon.

Dr Venson-Moitoi also appreciated the recent donation of US$1milllion grant by the Chinese government towards the relief efforts following damage caused by cyclone Dineo. She also recognised the development support that China rendered to African countries through the forum of China-Africa cooperation.

“I also appreciate the country’s positive role it played at the UN Security Council in addressing issues of peace and security in the international arena,” she added.

On other issues, the minister explained that bilateral frameworks and mutual respect were vital and were the basic principles on which friendship between Botswana and China was built and will grow.

She paid tribute to China’s successive leadership in advancing the socio-economic developments for the prosperity of the people of China.

In his remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Dr Zhao Yanbo said China and Botswana had a  profound foundation of traditional friendship and good cooperation, which accumulated for more than 40 years.

Dr Zhao explained that this relationship had laid solid basis for the development of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“The relationship between the two countries has witnessed a steady growth since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago,” he added.

He said both countries had always mutually respected each other and treated each other as equals adding that the two countries had cooperated in various fields such as trade, investment, culture, education, health and wildlife protection with fruitful results.

The ambassador said recent years had seen increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries adding that more often than not the people of Botswana chose to do business, travel and study in China.

He explained that close to 2400 Batswana have visited China since his arrival in November last year, which is more than all the visitors combined in 2016.

He further said this year alone more than 40 students from Botswana have gone to China for studies sponsored by the Chinese government or at their expenses, setting a historic record.

On other issues, Dr Zhao explained that China and Botswana had much to offer each other in various respective development strategies saying that Botswana may export its diamonds and beef directly to China instead of indirectly.

On the other side, he said China may invest new energy, new technology and manufacturing industries in Botswana.

However, he said bilateral relations between the two countries did experience challenges in its course of development citing the quality concerns on Chinese contracted projects which arose a few years ago for various reasons.

Dr Zhao explained that this issue was by no means what the Chinese government wished to see adding that to address the problem, the Chinese government had imposed very tight supervision on the projects undertaken by Chinese companies and that there was now improvement.

The ambassador also explained that another issue was lack of high-level visits and communication between the two countries which has led to a deficit in mutual political trust.

However, he explained that this issue was caused by the fact that both countries were developing nations and were working on perfecting their operations .

He disclosed however, that China was willing to move forward with Botswana to strengthen communication and consultation under bilateral and multilateral framework, explore and formulate plans to align its economic cooperation strategically, channel investment in areas of Botswana’s concern, and promote Botswana’s economic diversification, with a goal of common development  for the two countries. ENDS