| Interview: Sino-Botswanian ties maintain sustained, rapid, sound development over past three decades by Li Nuer GABORONE, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- China and Botswana have witnessed sustained, rapid and sound development over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with fruitful cooperation in economy and trade, human resource development, .ltural exchanges and coordination in international arena, a diplomat has said. Liu Huanxing, Chinese amb.ador to Botswana, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview here on Monday that the Chinese emb.y in Gaborone and the Batswana government will launch variety of activities to celebrate the historical event. Liu, also representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said exchanges on the political level lay a solid foundation for relationship progresses between China and Botswana and leaders of both countries attach great importance to the exchanges of development experience and views on international affairs. All the three Batswana leaders, President Seretse Khama, former President Ketumile Masire and former President Festus G. Mogae have paid visits to China respectively, he said. rolex replica China and Botswana have support each other's just cause to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity. China gave selfless .istance to Botswana when the Batswana people fought har.ment from neighboring racist regimes, Liu said. "We appreciate the Botswana government for her one China policy. We will never forget that when the devastating earthquake hit China in May 2008, the Botswana government immediately made donation to help the reconstruction of the affected area," the Chinese amb.ador said. replica rolex According to Liu, the bilateral trade between the two countries has increased significantly over the past 35 years with a total trade volume in 2008 amounting up to 360 million U.S. dollars and Botswana enjoying a trade surplus. The trade volume merely stood between 300,000 and 500,000 dollars in the early 1980s. In 1986, the two countries signed a Trade Agreement to facilitate bilateral trade operations. From then on, the trade volume has been growing smoothly and rapidly, Liu recalled. The amb.ador said that despite the international financial crisis, the bilateral trade volume in 2009 surp.ed 200 million dollars. "We are quite confident that, with the international economy gradually coming out of the shadow of the crisis, the two countries will overcome the .rrent diffi.lties and maintain a steady progress in bilateral trade," he said. In recent years, more and more Chinese companies have been actively involved in the economic and social development of Botswana, Liu said. Chinese companies have gradually won re.tions for their efficiency, high quality and strict contract exe.tion in local market, and created more than 20,000 jobs for local people, he added. The Chinese government has also granted interest-free loans and low-interest loans to 28 projects, including the renovation of Botswana railway and roads, health facilities and low-cost housing projects in a bid to improve the infrastructure and the living conditions of the people, Liu said. Last year, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, together with Standard Bank, provided 825 million dollars of credits to the Morupule power station expansion project, according to Liu. Other articles:http://www.shuhuajiaoliu.cn/Blog/View/?577http://www.fydvb.com/Blog/View/?730 | |
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