STORY: FOCAC drives forward community with shared future for mankind, says Botswanan president
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 2, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 7, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:04
LOCATION: Gaborone
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Gaborone street views
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President
3. various of China-Botswana cooperation projects
4. various of Chinese medical team to Botswana
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President
6. various of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President

STORYLINE:

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Botswana and China, and bilateral relations have witnessed "leaps and bounds" since then, said Botswanan President, Mokgweetsi Masisi.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President
"We expect first to celebrate that which we've achieved. We expect, second, to cement, concrete ties, and deepen that relationship. We expect to build a new foundation for not just the next 50 years, but for life into eternity, because I think 50 years is enough time to prove that you are true friends."

Masisi said the two countries have cooperated in infrastructure, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges among other areas, and he was particularly impressed by healthcare cooperation.

China has dispatched 17 batches of medical teams to Botswana since 1981.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President
"China was always there with us and for us. The government of Botswana and the people of Botswana are immensely appreciative of the support rendered by China through their medical teams."

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established 24 years ago.

Since then, China-Africa cooperation, featuring equality, practicality and efficiency, has yielded significant fruits, said the Botswanan leader.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MOKGWEETSI MASISI, Botswanan President
"I am very confident and very hopeful that we will be able to carry ourselves further as we deepen our collaboration in multilateralism. 
The forum has also become a very prominent brand for China-Africa cooperation, and a banner for promoting the spirit and the principles of peaceful coexistence, forging a very collective and strong cooperation between China and Africa.
It's also provided important driving forces for building a resilient community with a shared future for mankind."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaborone.
(XHTV)