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. ■
