Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
China and Botswana

1.Bilateral political relations

China and Botswana established diplomatic relations on 6 January 1975. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries have developed steadily and healthily.

The main visits from Chinese side to Botswana include: Bayin Chaolu, Member of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee (April 2019), Qian Keming, Vice Minister of Commerce (May 2019), Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs (January 2021), Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (September 2023), Tang Wenhong, Deputy Administrator of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (October 2023), and Mao Dingzhi, Member of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee (December 2023). Shao Hong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (December 2024), etc.

The main visits of the Botswana side to China include: Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Honourable Dr. Unity Dow (July 2018),President of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (who paid a state visit to China from the end of August to the beginning of September 2018 and attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024, and Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Honourable Fidelis Mmilili Molao (who led a delegation to attend the 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June 2023).

During their visit to China to attend the Beijing Summit, the two heads of state announced the establishment of a strategic partnership.

In November 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to His Excellency Dr. Duma Gideon Boko, newly elected president from The Umbrella for Democratic Change(UDC). In January 2025, President Xi Jinping and President Duma Boko exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

2.Bilateral economic and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation

The two countries have a trade agreement. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Botswana will be US$1.01 billion, a year-on-year increase of 42.1%, of which China's exports will be US$240 million, a year-on-year increase of 11.9%; imports were 770 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 55.1%. The two governments have signed an investment protection agreement.

3.Bilateral exchanges in the fields of culture, education, and health

China and Botswana have signed agreements on educational and cultural cooperation. China has sent 17 medical teams to Botswana since 1981.

4.Important bilateral agreements and documents

In August 2018, China and Botswana signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Botswana on Reciprocal Visa Waiver for Holders of Diplomatic, Official and Official Passports, the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic, Trade, Investment and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Botswana, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Human Resources Development between the China International Development Cooperation Agency of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana.

In December 2019, China and Botswana signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese and Botswana Governments on Cooperation in the Field of Agricultural Development and Food Security.

In January 2021, China and Botswana signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Botswana on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and the Supplementary Agreement to the Agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana on the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism. In September, the two countries signed the Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Botswana.

China and Botswana Documents Activities Spokesperson's Remarks Other Issues