On 26th June 2020, Ambassador Dr. Zhao Yanbo gave a telephone interview to Duma FM on the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 and its outcomes.

Ambassador Zhao said that held at this critical moment of fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the special summit not only demonstrated the solidarity between China and Africa, but also offered a timely multilateral platform to pool our wisdom and strength for the way forward. At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a series of concrete measures in support of Africa's anti-pandemic efforts as well as economic and social development. He emphasized the commitments to fighting COVID-19 together, enhancing China-Africa cooperation, upholding multilateralism and taking China-Africa friendship forward. The "Four Commitments" shed light on further deepening China-Africa anti-pandemic cooperation and building a China-Africa community with a shared future. Ambassador Zhao also briefed the audience in details on the measures China will take to further support Africa's anti-pandemic battle.

Ambassador Zhao pointed out that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Botswana have stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against the pandemic. At the height of China's battle with the coronavirus, H.E. President Masisi sent two letters to the Chinese leadership, expressing solidarity and support to China. After the pandemic reached Botswana, as the first country to provide assistance, China has provided several batches of medical supplies and shared its anti-epidemic experiences without reservation. As the pandemic is now under control despite sporadic resurgence of new confirmed cases, Botswana has entered a new normal with acceleration in resumption of work and production. Last week, I met with Finance Minister Dr. Matsheka and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in a number of areas. While jointly fighting the pandemic, China will work with Botswana to implement the outcomes of the summit and promote resumption of practical cooperation in such areas as health and wellness, infrastructure, trade, agriculture and tourism so as to support Botswana's quick economic recovery from the pandemic impact.

Towards the end of the interview, program host Ms. Motingwa spoke highly of the achievements of the summit and thanked China for its continued support for Africa. She expressed her confidence in Africa's early victory over the COVID-19 and the solid China-Africa friendship tested by the pandemic.