Gaborone – A high-ranking delegation from China’s ruling Communist Party was due in Gaborone this week to seal several agreements with the Botswana government, a foreign ministry official has said.
The team of officials would be led by Wu Guanzheng, a member of the party’s powerful Politburo and central committee, according to Botswana foreign ministry spokesman, Masego Tlhoiwe.
Apart from holding talks with President Festus Mogae on September 5, the delegation has lined up a series of meetings with officials from various ministries to sign agreements on issues such as banking and trade.
The Beijing government’s ties with Africa have been steadily growing in recent years, with trade volume between China and the continent reaching about $40bn in 2005 – almost four times higher than in 2001.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a seven-nation tour of Africa in June, which included visits to South Africa and Angola, Botswana’s two largest neighbours. Sapa-AFP
