Dunhuang: Mr. Dithapelo Keorapetse, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana, has commended China for its steadfast commitment to Africa’s development. Keorapetse made these remarks on Friday during the opening of the 4th Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations in Dunhuang, China. The event is being hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding and the People’s government of Gansu Province in China.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the speaker, representing African delegates, emphasized China’s pivotal role as a key partner in Africa’s socio-economic transformation. He highlighted infrastructural projects, technology transfer, and educational exchanges as the cornerstones of cooperation between China and Africa. “China’s support has been instrumental in advancing Africa’s development agenda. From railways to digital innovation, our partnership exemplifies mutual respect and shared progress under the principles of the Global Civilisation Initiative,” Keorapetse stated.
Keorapetse also praised President Xi Jinping’s three global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative. He noted that these initiatives remain crucial as they serve as resources for generating new opportunities for the Global South. The speaker underscored China’s contribution to Botswana’s development efforts since its independence in 1966, particularly in infrastructure and bilateral cooperation.
He further elaborated on China’s instrumental role in enhancing Botswana’s infrastructural development, citing examples such as the rehabilitation of Botswana’s railway system. “When Botswana gained independence, we had fewer than 10 kilometers of tarred roads. China aided in rehabilitating our railway system, transforming 522 kilometers of track with a $99 million interest-free loan,” Keorapetse said. He also mentioned the flourishing cultural and educational exchanges, including the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana in collaboration with Shanghai Normal University, which promotes the Chinese language and facilitates cross-cultural exchanges.
Despite the positive developments, Keorapetse acknowledged challenges facing multilateralism, such as armed conflicts, global health crises, climate change, and the rise of nationalism, which have hindered international cooperation. “It is for this reason that we look to China to partner with us in the Global South to mitigate the adverse effects of these global challenges. We also reiterate our commitment to continuous collaboration with China,” he concluded.
