Chinese Premier Meets Botswanian President

Chinese Premier Meets Botswanian President

Premier Zhu Rongji said here today that China attaches great importance to its trade and economic relations with Botswana, which constitute an important part of overall bilateral ties.

During his meeting this morning with visiting Botswanian President Festus Mogae in Zhongnanhai, site of the central government, Zhu told the president that China is willing to increase contacts with Botswana and explore new areas and new ways for expanding their trade and economic relations.

The Chinese government will encourage and support Chinese enterprises with strong economic strength to engage in mutually- beneficial cooperation with Botswanian counterparts in various forms, Zhu said.

Noting that President Mogae's entourage includes a number of businesspeople, Zhu said he hoped that businesspeople of both countries would establish direct contacts at economic and trade forums and other occasions to increase mutual understanding and seek new areas and ways of cooperation.

The premier said he was very glad to learn that President Jiang Zemin and President Mogae's talks yesterday were very fruitful, and that several cooperative agreements have already been signed. China is willing to work together with Botswana to earnestly carry out these agreements, he said.

The premier also expressed his satisfaction over the smooth progress of bilateral relations and his hope that the good momentum will continue.

President Mogae said that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Botswana and China, and that in the past 25 years bilateral cooperation has been expanding in all fields, and frequent exchange of high-level visits has greatly promoted their ties.

He said the two countries enjoy good trade and economic relations, and both governmental and non-governmental cooperation in this field is progressing effectively. Botswana hopes that more and more Chinese enterprises will invest in Botswana and launch joint ventures there, the president said, and he believed the existing friendship would provide a solid foundation for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.