R-L: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Botswana’s President Duma Boko after their bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, during Boko’s state visit to China.
Agreements
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Botswana’s President Duma Boko have elevated bilateral relations between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
This follows the signing of cooperation agreement documents covering the Global Security Initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, green mining, health, and human resources, which now underpin their new partnership.
This is contained in a joint statement by the two leaders on Thursday, following their bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, during Boko’s state visit to China.
Xi described China-Botswana friendship as enduring, declaring that it should “shine bright and endure like diamonds,” reflecting the precious mineral’s significance to Botswana.
He recalled Botswana’s support in the 1970s for restoring the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat at the United Nations, before diplomatic relations were established.
Xi said both countries were “advancing side by side towards modernisation, creating opportunities to strengthen their longstanding friendship and contribute to global development.”
He noted that 2026 marked the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China’s founding and Botswana’s 60th independence anniversary.
The Chinese leader urged stronger cooperation between the two governing parties, including experience-sharing in state governance and greater convergence of development ideas.
He reaffirmed China’s support for Botswana’s pursuit of a development path suited to its national circumstances, while calling for expanded economic and trade cooperation.
Xi encouraged Botswana to “seize opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing.”
He identified the digital economy, agriculture, livestock development and the Smart Education Project as priority areas for cooperation supporting Botswana’s economic and social progress.
On mining, Xi proposed a four-point framework emphasising African ownership of resources, mutual benefit, high-quality development and a fair, open investment environment.
He said African countries should determine how their mineral resources were developed, adding that China was ready to share expertise and support appropriate national mining strategies.
Xi also called on Chinese companies to strengthen operational capabilities, transfer environmentally friendly technologies and advance South-South cooperation in mining development.
He advocated greater mineral processing and industrial value addition in Africa, alongside affordable, sustainable financing models that could accelerate the continent’s modernisation.
Xi cautioned against using Africa’s natural resources for geopolitical rivalry, urging international partners to support development and create favourable conditions for responsible investment.
Speaking arlier, Boko “commended China’s development achievements under Xi’s leadership, describing its poverty reduction experience and development pathway as valuable examples for Botswana.”
He “reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to the one-China principle, opposition to Taiwan independence and rejection of interference in China’s internal affairs.”
Boko welcomed greater Chinese investment in Botswana and closer cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in agriculture, mining, industrial development, innovation and digital transformation.
He also expressed Botswana’s readiness to work with China on multilateralism, developing-country solidarity and reforms promoting a more inclusive and representative global governance system.(NAN)
