02 Sep 2024

His Excellency President, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi yesterday left for  Beijing, China where he will participate at the 2024 Summit for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), slated for  September 4-6. 

A press release from the Ministry for State President states that the summit brings together heads of State and government, ministers, senior officials, leaders and representatives of African regional organisations and other stakeholders to explore ways of deepening cooperation between China and Africa. 

The release says the FOCAC Summit meets every three years, alternating between China and Africa. 

“The theme for this year’s Summit is: Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” the release states.

 According to the press release, FOCAC plays a key role in providing China and African countries with a platform to explore enhanced cooperation in various areas such as trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges, peace and security, infrastructure and health. 

The release also mentions that over the years, Botswana has benefitted from her partnership with China. 

“The two countries cooperate in a number of areas including infrastructure, transport, trade and investment, as well as human resource development,” the statement says. 

Most recently, in August 2024, the release states, Botswana and China signed Letters of Exchange for the construction of the Mmopane-Block 8 Road. Other outcomes of the robust bilateral economic cooperation between Botswana and China, include the construction of the Mmopane Primary School, provision of tertiary scholarships for over 1 000 Batswana to study in China, as well as support for financing of development projects, the release states. 

Moreover, the release adds that China remains the second largest consumer of Botswana diamonds. 

On the margins of the FOCAC Summit, President Masisi will hold bilateral talks with His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and also meet with members of China’s Politburo Standing Committee. 

The President is accompanied by Honourable Dr Lemogang Kwape, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and senior government Officials. 

President Masisi and his delegation will return to Gaborone on Friday. ENDS