19 Aug 2013

About 150 students from four local schools toured the Chinese Embassy during the Chinese open day on August 15.

The schools, Polokwe Primary School, Rainbow School, Maruapula School and Westwood International School were this year picked as part of the embassy’s efforts to strengthen the good relations between Botswana and China.

The political officer at the Chinese Embassy, Mr Tang Shenping said the event would be held annually, adding that the event provided ordinary people the opportunity to tour the embassy.

He further said the open day was for the students to know about the Chinese culture as they had a chance to watch a Chinese film, to be taught how to eat using chopsticks, learn how to write Chinese, learn Chinese songs and Chinese cutting paper as well as eat other Chinese traditional food.

He said the day also provided the students with the opportunity to know about the purpose of the Chinese Embassy. He further pointed out that they intend to invite other people for more of such open days such as farmers and others from the village to learn about the Chinese culture.

Mr Shenping said Botswana and China enjoyed prolonged relationship adding that in recent years they have had political and economic cooperation.

Also, he said they have introduced Chinese in some schools in Gaborone and are intending to open more outside the capital city so that the students could have an opportunity to learn Chinese, which could help them to go further their studies in China if they apply for scholarship. Ends