Qi Huaiyuan, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countriesstressed China's wish to further develop friendly relations with Botswana in Beijing on January 7.

At a banquet given by Association in honor of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Qi highly praised previous efforts on both sides to improve political, economic, trade and agricultural exchanges since the two countries formed diplomatic relations.

"China and Botswana share similar historical backgrounds and currently face a common goal of safeguarding peace and seeking development," Qi noted, saying that it is the common wish and interests of both peoples to strengthen friendly bilateral ties.

Botswanan's Ambassador to China, Alfred Majaye Dube, said during his toast that he believed the close exchanges between China and Botswana will increase in the future. Both countries will greatly benefit from these exchanges.

Also present at the banquet were Assistant Foreign Minister LiuGuchang and officials from the Botswanan Embassy in China.