25 Sep 2019

The People’s Republic of China has every reason to celebrate its achievements of the past 70 years and in particular, the impact such prosperity has had on the Chinese people, the wider Asian region and the global community.

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said this when giving a keynote address at a celebratory event held in Gaborone on September 24.

The minister pointed out that China was counted among key players in the global trading system and ranked the second largest economy in the world, saying such phenomenal growth which had contributed to poverty reduction, social inclusion and prosperity, served as an inspiration to Botswana.

Mr Kgathi made it known that the state visit by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in September last year had energised the relations between the two countries, thus creating a conducive environment for more interaction on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

During the state visit Dr Masisi signed the joint technical committee on economy, trade, investment and technical cooperation between the two countries.

He went on to underscore Botswana’s appreciation for the development and technical assistance in various fields that China had offered Botswana over the years such as availing medical experts in a number of health facilities and supporting the education system through building of schools.

The minister also revealed that it was through good bilateral relations that the two countries continued to enjoy that quite a sizeable number of Batswana continue to receive training and scholarships and short term capacity building in China in various disciplines.

China and Botswana has over 30 bilateral agreements covering a variety of sectors such as agriculture, trade, culture and defense, amongst others.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Zhao Yanbo, said the past 70 years had witnessed significant changes of China’s relations with the world.

He pointed out that with the support of African friends including Botswana, China restored its lawful seat in the UN and rejoined the international community’ 48 years ago.

 Dr Zhao said China’s commitment to a better world remained unchanged.

The Ambassador said China believed in dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, win-win cooperation rather than hegemony and common development rather than prioritising one’s own interests over others’.

Further, he said bilateral relations between the two countries had been characterised by profound traditional friendship with practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect.

He concurred that the relations between the two states continued to deepen in various fields such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and people-to-people exchange.

The celebrations were attended by, among others, former President of Botswana Mr Festus Mogae, former Ministers, members of the diplomatic relations, ministers and government officials. Ends