Botswana and China signed the "One Belt And One Road" Cooperation Document

On January 7, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Botswana's Foreign Minister Kwaape in Gaborone.

Wang said China-Botswana relations are based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support.China always maintains that all countries, big or small, are equal and adhere to the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.China-Botswana relations have withstood twists and turns and tests and become more resilient and vigorous.The two heads of state reached broad consensus on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in various fields, which played a strategic guiding role in the development of China-Botswana relations.China appreciates Botswana's reaffirmation of its adherence to the one-China policy and will continue to support Botswana in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity on the multilateral and international stage and exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

Wang said the two sides should cherish the sound situation of bilateral relations, consolidate the political foundation and continuously deepen mutual trust.China is ready to continue to strengthen cooperation with Botswana in fighting the epidemic, coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic development, and push forward the resumption of bilateral cooperation projects in an orderly manner so as to help Botswana ultimately defeat the epidemic.Botswana will become the 46th African partner country to jointly build the "One Belt And One Road", marking the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Botswana.This is a beautiful symbol that will encourage and support the business communities of the two countries to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, open up new prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and benefit the two peoples.China is ready to work with Botswana to give full play to the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, push forward cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and digital economy and push for new results in mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wang Yi said that China is not only a developing country economically, but also always stands on the side of developing countries politically.China is willing to join in Botswana, upholding the philosophy of multilateralism, opposed to unilateral bullying behavior, determined to maintain the UN as the core of the international system, on the basis of the international law of the international order, and actively promote the sustainable development agenda in 2030 with the African union (au) "agenda 2063" docking, enhance the voice of developing countries in international affairs.

Kappe said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 46 years ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect and mutual benefit, and bilateral relations have been continuously deepened and shown a positive momentum of development.The Botswana government firmly pursues the one-China policy and regards China as a long-term strategic partner.The strong recovery of China's economy has brought opportunities for Bo's economic development.Botsana would like to hold a meeting of the bilateral economic, trade and technology joint committee with China at an early date to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, trade and human resources development and push for further development of bilateral relations.He thanked China for its huge support in Botswa's fight against the epidemic and welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Botswa.Botsana appreciates China's positive role in upholding the international multilateral system and thanks for China's firm support for the African Union's Agenda 2063 and its important contribution to supporting Africa's medical and health undertakings under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.We look forward to strengthening coordination and cooperation with China to jointly uphold multilateralism, promote sustainable development and increase the voice of developing countries in the international system.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common interest.Botswana ministers of trade and investment, finance, health, agriculture, transportation and labor attended the talks.

Following the talks, the two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting the construction of the One Belt And One Road and other cooperation documents between the two governments.

Wang Yi said the "One Belt And One Road" is an important international cooperation initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping and a public good provided by China to the international community. The priority is to help developing countries strengthen infrastructure construction, achieve better connectivity and enhance their capacity for independent development.Today, the two countries signed an agreement on the joint development of the One Belt And One Road, making Botswana the 46th African partner country to jointly build the BBB1.This year marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Botanica, which is a beautiful symbol.The joint development of the "One Belt And One Road" will provide new opportunities, expand new areas and open up new prospects for the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, boost the development of Botanica's infrastructure and national modernization, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Both Botswana's President Masisi and Foreign Minister Kwape congratulated the two countries, stressing that the signing of the One Belt And One Road agreement marks new progress in Botswana's relations with China and will provide new impetus for bilateral cooperation.