On July 11, the 2026 Chinese Culture Festival, hosted by the Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana, was grandly held in Botswana. Ambassador Fan Yong, together with Botswana's Minister of International Relations, Honorable Dr. Phenyo Butale, and other government representatives, attended the opening ceremony. Hundreds of attendees from the Chinese community and local residents participated in the event.

Ambassador Fan noted that 2026 marks "the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges". This event provides the people of Botswana with a platform to further explore Chinese culture and experience China's allure, enabling the peoples of both countries to continuously enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship through exchanges and mutual learning.

Minister Butale stated that the foundation of bilateral relations lies in the connections and goodwill between the peoples. The diverse forms of people-to-people diplomacy and exchanges have deepened the mutual trust and profound friendship between Botswana and Chinese people.

At the opening ceremony, friends from both China and Botswana jointly presented spectacular performances, including lion and dragon dances, singing, and dancing. Booths showcasing traditional Chinese arts and cuisine drew an endless stream of visitors, captivating local residents who stopped by to appreciate and enthusiastically participate.