20 Mar 2018

Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Zhao Yanbo has commended the government of Botswana in her vigorous fight against poverty.

    Dr Zhao said poverty was a global issue and poverty eradication must be a common task for those wishing to improve global governance as is envisaged in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The Ambassador said this in an interview prior to the upcoming International Conference on Poverty Eradication to be hosted by Botswana today and tomorrow. 

He said he has observed that Botswana government is vigorously doing all it can to fight poverty.

    He said the Botswana government had sound programmes aimed at improving the lives of the less privileged and hosting an international conference on poverty eradication was a testimony by the government to show that she does not condone poverty among her people. 

Dr Zhao said his country was in support of Botswana government’s effort in fighting poverty and said the two countries had a long- standing friendly relationship and both the two countries had scored enormous achievements in economic and social development for the past few decades.

    He said Botswana had turned itself from one of the 20 least developed countries into one of Africa’s top economies and most of her people had been lifted out of poverty after independence, stating that this was achievable due to a stable government led by capable people.

  However, he said the fight against poverty was far from over in both Botswana and China and said the two countries therefore had to share a common goal and have huge potentials on reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development. 

    He said the theme for the conference on poverty eradication, Leave no One Behind in the Fight Against Poverty, Exclusion and Inequality, could not have come at a better time and stated that a Chinese delegation from the State Council Leading Group Office of poverty alleviation and development was honoured to have been invited to the conference and to share China’s successful experience on poverty eradication with Botswana and other countries.

    Dr Zhao said China would step up to make full preparations for the coming Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation this year along with Botswana, and jointly map out a practical plan for the cooperation and common development. 

He said China was ready to further deepen cooperation with Botswana in areas of health, education, infrastructure construction, agriculture, tourism and clear energy for their mutual benefits and they had the confidence, capability and wisdom to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to fight poverty, strive for common prosperity, and jointly embrace a brighter future. ENDS