China and Botswana elevate ties to comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko announced in Beijing on Tuesday that bilateral relations had been elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
During their talks, Xi said China-Botswana friendship should be “as brilliant and lasting as a diamond,” calling on both sides to build on their history of mutual support and further strengthen relations.
China expressed readiness to expand cooperation with Botswana in the digital economy, agriculture, livestock and education, while making use of new opportunities created by China's zero-tariff treatment for African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Mining cooperation was also a major focus. Xi proposed cooperation based on mutual benefit, green technology, greater industrial value addition and support for Africa's modernization.
President Boko said Botswana welcomes greater Chinese investment and wants to deepen cooperation in industry, agriculture, mining, innovation and digital transformation.
After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for cooperation documents covering areas including the Belt and Road Initiative, green mining, healthcare and human resources.
According to CCTV+, the upgraded partnership is expected to broaden political dialogue, trade, investment and technological cooperation between China and Botswana.
