29 Aug 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi on August 29 morning left for Beijing, China at the invitation of his counterpart Mr Xi Jingping.

President Masisi jetted off to China in a colorful send-off marking his first official state visit since assuming state power in April 2018.

Members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) mounted a full guard of honour, a deviation from the usual quarter guard mounted during his recent working visits to several SADC states, where he held consultative meetings with his counterparts from the regional bloc.

From August 30 until September 2, President Masisi will honour the state visit and hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart on issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

From September 3, President Masisi will attend the 3rd summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Speaking in an interview after President Masisi’s departure, Acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the cordial relations between Botswana and China had proven to be productive and effective in the past. He said it was thus important to meet and build on the strong foundation that had already been laid.

“President Masisi is travelling there to share ideas on what could be developed going forward. China has assisted Botswana in different spheres such as infrastructure and health care, exporting medical experts here. We also have Chinese investors especially in the construction field. It is thus very important for us to develop this relationship,” he said.

Mr Molefhi expressed confidence that the meeting between the two heads of states amongst other things, would look into new avenues of socioeconomic development.

He said before the high profile FOCAC meeting, it was important for Botswana to ask for assistance from China in areas such as scientific research and ICT as they were more advanced in the technological field and now using it to develop the lives of citizens.

FOCAC was founded in 2000 and its membership has grown to 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China and the African Union Commission.

Under the FOCAC framework, there are regular consultations at ministerial and senior-official levels, and between the Chinese Follow-up Committee and the African Diplomatic Corps in China.

There are also sub-forums on business, youth, health and poverty reduction and many others.

Meanwhile, Minister Molefhi has just returned from China after attending the sub forum on poverty reduction.

FOCAC has held two summits gathering leaders of China and African countries, one in Beijing in 2006 and another in Johannesburg in 2015.

President Masisi is accompanied by First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, Cabinet Ministers Dr Unity Dow, Mr Shaw Kgathi, Mr Kitso Mokaila, Mr Eric Molale, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo and some senior government officials. The president and his entourage are expected back home on September 7. ENDS