On the afternoon of October 15, 2026, Li Qiang met in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with President Boko of Botswana, who was on a state visit to China.

Li Qiang expressed that China and Botswana enjoy profound traditional friendship. In recent years, with the joint efforts of both sides, China Botswana relations have maintained a good development momentum. Two days ago, the Chinese President held a meeting with the President and outlined a new blueprint for deepening bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Botswana to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further consolidate political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests, continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly promote development and revitalization, and better benefit the people of both countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to work with Botswana to jointly build the the Belt and Road in high quality, give better play to economic complementary advantages, make good use of mechanisms such as the Joint Economic and Trade Commission of the two countries, deepen cooperation in mining, digital technology, green energy, artificial intelligence and other fields, and promote more achievements. Both sides can further make good use of China's policies such as zero tariffs and green channels for exporting products to China, promote more high-quality products from Botswana to enter the Chinese market, upgrade the bilateral investment protection agreement, and promote the expansion and efficiency of two-way trade and investment. Both sides can expand cultural exchanges and cooperation in education, youth, culture, tourism, healthcare, and other areas to enhance mutual understanding and matchmaking between the two peoples. China is willing to work more closely with Botswana and other African countries to implement the outcomes of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation and inject more impetus into the building of a community of shared future between China and Africa.

Boke expressed that Boke greatly admires China's tremendous development achievements. During this visit, the Chinese President and I elevated the positioning of our bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is of milestone significance. The Bo side firmly adheres to the One China principle, thanks China for its strong support and assistance in the economic and social development of Bo, and is willing to make good use of China's zero tariff policy, expand trade with China, and further strengthen practical cooperation in various fields such as infrastructure, scientific and technological innovation, healthcare, and humanities education. Bo supports President Xi Jinping's four major global initiatives and is willing to closely cooperate with China on a multilateral basis to achieve common development.

Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.Editor/Gong Ziwei