Botswana's president to pay state visit to China Oct. 12 to 17

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko will pay a state visit to China from October 12 to 17, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

The visit will be Boko's first to China since taking office in November 2024.

During his visit, Xi will host a welcoming ceremony and a banquet for Boko, and the two heads of state will hold talks.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji will each hold a separate meeting with Botswana's president, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Boko will also visit east China's Fujian Province, Mao added.

"China and Botswana are strategic partners," the spokesperson said.

In the 51 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, they have upheld sincere friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, Mao added.

"Both sides support each other on major issues concerning respective core interests, assist each other in times of disaster and epidemic, join hands on the journey toward modernization, and firmly stand on the right side of history on international affairs," she said.

The spokesperson said the visit would elevate China-Botswana relations to a new height and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.