Mining cooperation with Africa highlighted at talks

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for China-Africa mining cooperation to help African countries translate their mineral wealth into development gains to advance the continent's modernization, stressing that those resources belong to Africa and should not become tools of geopolitical rivalry.

Xi made the remarks during talks with visiting Botswanan President Duma Gideon Boko at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the two leaders announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Boko arrived in China on Monday for a six-day state visit, his first since taking office in November 2024. Beijing is the second stop on his itinerary, following a visit to Fujian province in East China with engagements focused on industrial development, technology and investment.

The two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, Belt and Road cooperation, green minerals, health and human resources.

During the talks, which followed a welcoming ceremony, Xi called on the two countries to write a new chapter in their friendship, saying that it should be as brilliant and enduring as diamonds, Botswana's leading export commodity.

Mining cooperation featured prominently in the talks, with Xi putting forward four proposals for advancing cooperation between China and Africa in the sector.

Such cooperation must proceed from the premise that Africa's resources belong to Africa, Xi said. China is willing to share its experience and help African countries formulate mining development plans suited to their national conditions, he added.

He called for cooperation grounded in fairness and mutual benefit, saying that China would continue to encourage its companies to improve their operational capabilities, transfer green technologies suited to African conditions and advance South-South cooperation in mining.

Xi also urged a stronger focus on high-quality development. China will continue to promote greater value addition in China-Africa mining cooperation and explore innovative financing models that are affordable and sustainable to support Africa's modernization, he said.

Calling for a fair and open environment for cooperation, Xi said Africa's resources should not become tools of geopolitical rivalry. China welcomes sincere efforts by all parties to support Africa's development and is ready to work with African countries to create more favorable conditions for business investment and operations, he added.

On bilateral relations, Xi recalled that Botswana had voted in support of restoring the People's Republic of China's lawful seat in the United Nations in the 1970s, even before the two countries established diplomatic relations. Today, he said, the two sides are advancing together in pursuit of modernization.

China supports Botswana in following a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said. He urged both sides to further improve their framework for economic and trade cooperation and make full use of the opportunities brought by China's zero-tariff treatment for all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Botswana in the digital economy, agriculture and animal husbandry, and implement smart education projects to support the country's economic and social development, he added.

Boko praised China's development achievements under Xi's leadership, saying that its development experience offers valuable lessons for Botswana.

He said that Botswana firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence" and any interference in China's internal affairs.

Botswana welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in the country, he said, expressing readiness to expand Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen ties in industry, agriculture, mining, innovation and digital transformation to deliver more tangible results.

He also welcomed the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, saying that they demonstrate the responsibility of a major country at a time of significant global challenges.

Botswana is ready to strengthen coordination with China, uphold multilateralism, promote solidarity among developing countries and advance China-Africa cooperation to make global governance more inclusive and representative, he said.

China and Botswana established diplomatic relations in January 1975 and upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in September 2024. Bilateral trade reached $1.22 billion in 2025, up 21.3 percent year-on-year, according to China's Foreign Ministry.