Botswana-China Beef Protocol negotiations make headway
A few takeaways stand out distinctly from last week’s China’s Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) celebration at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC)!
Graced by Botswana’s third President, Festus Mogae, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and the Chinese Diaspora, including investors and businesspeople – the occasion was a platform for both the Chinese Envoy, Wang Xuefeng and Foreign Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape to reaffirm their 50 years of diplomatic and bilateral relations.
But most importantly, were the observations by Minister Kwape when noting progress in negotiations between Botswana and China of the Beef Protocol, which will facilitate entry of Botswana beef into the Chinese market.
In his jolly element, Minister Kwape announced to all and sundry in Setswana that, “Seswaa le Mokoto di tloga di tsena ko China’, literally meaning that the Chinese market will soon enjoy some of the traditional Tswana beef delicacies.
Kwape also mentioned recent donation of a transportable meteorological ground application station (TGAS) to Botswana Meteorological Services; the imminent commencement of the Gaborone-Mmopane Road Works through a Grant Funding; and the completion of the Ramaeba Primary School or (Kazungula Primary) which is expected within this first quarter of 2024.
Kwape acknowledged that cooperation between Botswana and China continues to be framed within the context of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) since its inception in the year 2000, as well as the adherence to the One China Policy.
He noted that like other countries, Botswana continues to seek creation of value chains in the agricultural space, renewable energy, digital technology, knowledge and service industries, among others.
For his part, Ambassador Wang Xuefeng waxed lyrical about the support his country continues to shower not only Botswana, but the rest of Africa with, under the guided by President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Cultural Diplomacy.
He noted that in 2023, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the China-Botswana friendship made impressive achievements with “our political mutual trust being strengthened”. Some of the highlights included the successive visits to Botswana by a delegation of the National People’s Conference of China and a delegation of the China Communist Party (CCP) which visits deepened the exchanges between the government, parliament, political parties and the non-governmental sectors of the two countries.
Ambassador Wang reiterated that China highly appreciates Botswana’s adherence to the One China Principle and support to the Chinese people’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and striving to achieve national reunification.
He observed that practical cooperation between China and Botswana is also blooming with results, citing the nearly 300 Government scholarships and MOFCOM Scholarships offered for Botswana candidates to go for further studies in China last year.
At the continental level, Ambassador Wang said that China-Africa friendly cooperation also witnessed continuous development and improvement last year.
President Xi Jinping proposed and jointly presided over the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Xi Jinping announced that China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialisation and implement the Plan for China’s Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernisation and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, promoting cooperation and seeking development with African brothers; and jointly creating a bright future for China and Africa.
While upholding the spirit of China-Africa Friendship and Cooperation put forth by President Xi Jinping, China continued to follow the Principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, accelerated the implementation of the follow-up actions of the 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial Conference.
Through such platforms as Belt and Road Cooperation and the FOCAC and in light of the African Union Agenda 2063, China will “work with African countries” to enhance the synergy of development strategies including the Global Development Initiative; the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative and work together with African countries to achieve their respective development visions for common prosperity, Ambassador Wang said.