GABORONE, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Botswana to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said here on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing on Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko's first state visit to China from Oct. 12 to 17, Fan described the visit as "historical, very very successful," which "marks another important historical milestone in bilateral relations, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the China-Botswana diplomatic ties."
He summarized the visit's core outcomes and significance, including elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and issuing a joint statement, as "a new leap, new heights, new principles, new opportunities, and new vitality."
Fan noted that it is a new leap for political mutual trust to maintain close, high-level interparty exchanges, deepen the sharing of governance experience, and advance practical cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, mining development, science and technology, digital economy, green development, medical and health services, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, human capital development, and people-to-people exchanges.
"Botswana is rich in mineral resources, and mining cooperation is a top priority of practical cooperation," said the Chinese ambassador, adding that China will also continue sending medical teams to Botswana and carry out the "Bright Journey" program for cataracts in the coming months.
The two sides also committed to expanding cooperation in culture, tourism, sport, youth, women's empowerment, media, think tanks and other areas that contribute to greater mutual understanding and closer people-to-people ties, said Fan. ■