On 18th June 2020, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Dr. Zhao Yanbo held an online press briefing on the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 and China-Botswana cooperation in response to the pandemic.

Ambassador Zhao said as comprehensive strategic and cooperative partners, China and Africa have offered mutual support and fought shoulder to shoulder with each other in the face of COVID-19, which has set a fine example in global response to the pandemic and elevated China-Africa relations to a new high. Jointly proposed by the two sides, this extraordinary summit is just in time and will have a big significance and lasting influence. In his keynote speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a series of important initiatives and proposals, which demonstrate the firm will of China-Africa mutual support, charter the course forward for China-Africa anti-pandemic cooperation, and map out the blueprint for China-Africa relations’ future development. Leaders from China and Africa exchanged views and reached broad consensus on supporting Africa’s fight against COVID-19 and deepening China-Africa and global anti-pandemic cooperation. The summit issued a Joint Statement which reflected common positions of China and Africa on a number of major issues. The friendly and fruitful summit achieved a complete success, writing a new chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.

Ambassador Zhao expressed his sincere thanks to the Botswana media houses for their attendance, and answered questions on the “Four Commitments” proposed by President Xi, the latest development of COVID-19 vaccine in China, the Belt and Road Initiative and bilateral cooperation in food security, etc. In conclusion, Ambassador Zhao emphasized that as President Xi has pointed out, humanity will ultimately defeat the virus, and the Chinese and African people will embrace better days ahead. China will work with Botswana to implement the outcomes of this summit so as to benefit the two peoples.

Botswana media houses including Radio Botswana, Botswana Guardian, Sunday Standard, Weekend Post, the Patriot, Mmegi, Echo, the Argus Online, Duma FM and Gabz FM covered the briefing.