Celebrating forty years of a fruitful relationship between China and Botswana, the Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Zheng Zhuqiang emphasizes that, “having the same interest and trust in each other, the two countries have had a solid foundation since the beginning and continue to have a great one.”
Throughout their long, close and established alliance, China has given various forms of aid to Botswana. China has given economic aid through the renovation and expansion of the railway from Zimbabwe to South Africa, as well as multiple land surveys and contracts with the Government’s Parastatal Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC). Building 700 houses, multiple primary schools and even a multi-use youth center in Gaborone, China continues to develop Botswana’s infrastructure sector. Through its medical aid, Botswana has now received 14 teams of Chinese medical volunteers ranging from doctors to nurses, giving guidance to the Country’s Health Sector. In regards to education, China has given over eighty scholarships to Botswana citizens.
Now in his second year as Ambassador, Zheng Zhuqiang points out that his role is to promote the relationship between the two countries and keep expanding throughout needed areas of the economy. “Botswana is still short on infrastructure and China is able to help build Botswana up,” Zheng Zhuqiang says. “Because Botswana is a peaceful and stable democratic system, Chinese companies are able to work diligently and finish on time and with good quality.”
“Additionally, China is able to further help the Botswana economy through its knowledge in manufacturing. Although having had a poor reputation in the past, Chinese companies have learned their lesson and now correcting the miss-representation of Chinese products in Africa”, the ambassador adds.
Chinese companies are able come into Africa and employ the local population while teaching them the skills and trades that continue to be used long after a contract has expired. “China is able to share its experience and production capability with the African countries while promoting a new global market,” Zheng Zhuqiang explains. “China has the knowhow and Botswana has the interest, and we will continue to grow together!”
