Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hold a welcome ceremony for Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko and his wife Kaone Boko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2026. Xi held talks with Boko, who is on a state visit to China, after the welcome ceremony in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- During their talks in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Noting that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 60th anniversary of Botswana's independence, Xi said the two countries' ruling parties should strengthen cooperation and deepen exchanges on governance experience.
China supports Botswana in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said. He called on both sides to further improve the framework for economic and trade cooperation, and tap into new opportunities created by China's zero-tariff policy for African countries that have diplomatic ties with China.
China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Botswana in the digital economy, agriculture, animal husbandry and other sectors, and to carry out the smart education project, Xi added.
On promoting China-Botswana and China-Africa mining cooperation, Xi said Africa's resources belong to Africa, and this is the premise for cooperation.
China is willing to share its own experience and help African countries formulate mining development plans tailored to their national conditions, and China will encourage Chinese enterprises to transfer green technologies suited to African conditions, Xi said.
He said China will continue to promote China-Africa mining cooperation to move up the value chain and explore affordable, sustainable and innovative financing models.
Noting that Africa's resources should not become a tool for geopolitical rivalry, Xi said China welcomes all parties' genuine contributions to Africa's development and stands ready to work with Africa to create a more enabling environment for investment and business operations. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2026. Xi held talks with Boko, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2026. Xi held talks with Boko, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2026. Xi held talks with Boko, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
