On 16th April, 2021, H.E. Mr. Wang Xuefeng, Ambassador-designate of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Botswana and Special Representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), presented the Letter of Credence to H.E. Dr. Stergomena Tax, Executive Secretary of SADC.

Ambassador Wang conveyed the cordial greetings of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Dr. Tax and expressed his appreciation for the positive progress made by SADC in advancing regional integration, maintaining peace and security, and promoting economic and social development. Ambassador Wang said that China has maintained long-standing friendly and cooperative relations with SADC and its member states. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tax expressed her sympathy and support to China, which was highly appreciated by the Chinese side. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with SADC under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to further contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and economic recovery in the Southern Africa region, and to promote greater development between the two sides.

Dr. Tax welcomed Ambassador Wang to his new post and asked him to convey her cordial greetings to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. She said that China is an important partner of SADC. The practical cooperation between the two sides in various fields has been deepening day by day. She expressed her sincere thanks for China’s long-term selfless help rendered to SADC and its member states, especially the technical, material and vaccine assistance since the outbreak of COVID-19. Dr. Tax reiterated that SADC stands ready to strengthen exchanges and interactions and deepen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China. She expressed confidence in even stronger friendly relations between SADC and China with the joint efforts of both sides.