Xi Jinping, the President of China, has elevated relations with Botswana, a resource-rich African nation known for its copper and nickel reserves, to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
On October 13, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with visiting Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Xi announced the upgrade in bilateral relations, as reported by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on October 14. This new partnership is considered a step above the strategic cooperative relationship China has with South Korea.
Prior to their talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted a welcoming ceremony for President Masisi and his wife, which included a military honor guard and a 21-gun salute. President Masisi inspected the honor guard and attended the ceremony under Xi's guidance.
Botswana is a leading global diamond producer and is also rich in mineral resources such as copper and nickel, which are essential for electric vehicles, power grids, and renewable energy facilities. Chinese state-owned enterprise China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group is involved in copper mining development projects in Botswana.
During the meeting, Xi outlined four principles for China-Botswana and China-Africa mining cooperation: 1) African ownership of resources, 2) mutual benefits, 3) enhancing industrial added value through high-quality development, and 4) creating a fair and open cooperative environment.
Xi emphasized that Africa's resources should not become tools of geopolitical competition. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation beyond mining to include the digital economy, agriculture, livestock, and education.
President Masisi expressed gratitude for China's long-standing support and assistance in Botswana's national development, welcoming Chinese companies to invest and operate in Botswana. He highlighted hopes for expanded cooperation in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, industry, agriculture, mining, innovation, and digital transformation.
China and Botswana are expected to strengthen mineral development and industrial cooperation and expand their economic and trade relations as a result of this upgraded partnership.
Meanwhile, on the evening of October 13, Xi and Peng hosted a welcome banquet for President Masisi and his wife at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Wang Yi, a member of the Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, also attended the event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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