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.
China has lifted all its poor population out of poverty and forged a successful development path with Chinese characteristics, from which Botswana has much to learn, Boko noted.
He said that Botswana highly values its ties with China, and will firmly adhere to the one-China principle and oppose any separatist moves toward "Taiwan independence" and any external interference in China's internal affairs.
Botswana is willing to strengthen development strategy alignment with China and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Botswana, said Boko.
He added that the country stands ready to maintain close coordination and cooperation with China, uphold multilateralism, strengthen the solidarity of developing countries, promote Africa-China solidarity and cooperation, and make the global governance system more inclusive and representative.
After their talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering such areas as implementing the Global Security Initiative, Belt and Road cooperation, green minerals, health, and human resources.
During Boko's state visit to China, the two sides issued a joint statement on establishing a China-Botswana comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Boko and his wife Kaone Boko in the Great Hall of the People. Xi and Peng also held a welcome banquet for them in the evening. ■
