21 Feb 2021

Botswana and China continue to enjoy good diplomatic relations built 46 years ago, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape has said.

Speaking at a luncheon held for the outgoing China ambassador, Dr Zhao Yanbo, in Gaborone on Thursday, Dr Kwape said Botswana and China had built a strong friendship based on the principles of mutual respect, interest and benefit.

Dr Kwape said during the four years of stay in Botswana, Dr Zhao made sure that the two countries intensified a shared vision to promote collaborative partnerships that advanced social and economic development.

He said Botswana had benefitted from cooperation with China in areas such as development of human capital, infrastructure such as schools, roads and health services. 

“It is in this regard that Botswana values China as a strategic partner and stands ready to explore opportunities for deeper economic cooperation particularly through direct investment from China,” said Dr Kwape.

He reminisced that during the visit of the China minister of foreign fffairs, Mr Wang Yi they signed the agreement for Botswana to join the Belt and Road Initiative to provide an opportunity for cooperation in various partnerships that would expand economic benefits and promotes overall economic diversification for Botswana.

Dr Kwape said they were happy to note that Dr Zhao was departing after establishing solid preparations that would open market opportunities for Botswana beef and tourism amongst other in China.

He also stated that another area of importance that highlighted the success of Ambassador Zhao’s tenure as China’s envoy was cooperation in the fights against COVID-19 pandemic as China generously donated material and technical assistance to the people of Botswana in the fight against COVID-19.

“Through the ongoing plans to establish a cooperation mechanism between a Chinese Hospital and Nyangabgwe hospital to collaborate in the fight against the pandemic, a greater opportunity is in the offing to further strengthen cooperation through exchange of high-end skills that would assist Botswana defeat this pandemic,” he said.

For his part Dr Zhao was happy that cooperation in various fields had yielded results. He stated that the total trade volume between the two countries had jumped to nearly US$300 million in 2019

He said the China-aid Mmopane Primary School had been put into use while construction of the new Kazungula Primary School had kicked off against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Zhao said he had seen off more than 400 Batswana students and officials to study in china and had received quite a number of Chinese delegations visiting Botswana as well as the 15th and 16th Chinese medical teams.

 

He said he would not forget the beautiful land and lovely people he stayed with in his four-year stay. ENDS