GABORONE, Aug. 29 -- With Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi paying a state visit to China from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5 and attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, China-Botswana ties are at a new starting point with significant development opportunities, the Chinese ambassador to Botswana, Zhao Yanbo, said.

The ambassador said 2018 is a big year for China-Botswana relations. Masisi's visit is his first trip to China since assuming presidency in April, and also the first visit to China by a head of state of Botswana in 12 years.

"The visit will be a historic milestone in the development of China-Botswana relations," Zhao said.

China and Botswana have a time-honored friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975. Over the years, they have been like brothers who share weal and woe and support each other, Zhao said.

China has funded over 40 projects in Botswana, ranging from refurbishing railways and constructing houses to building primary schools. Chinese medical teams have treated more than 2 million people in the African country over the past decades.

During Masisi's visit, he will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and witness the signing of important cooperation agreements, Zhao said.

Zhao said both China and Botswana have entered a new era in terms of national development. China is willing to align its national development strategy with Botswana's.

【国内英语资讯:Interview: President of Botswanas China visit historic milestone in bilateral ties: Chines】相关文章：

★ 细数接吻的六大功效：今天你亲吻了吗？

★ 德维莱尔飞赴中国协助薄案调查

★ “市场宠儿”越南风光不再

★ 抢跳虚惊一场 孙杨再度夺金并破纪录

★ 刘欢、莎拉•布莱曼将演唱奥运主题歌

★ 资讯人物：华尔街的“不倒翁”

★ 德国财长拒绝欧元区银行业联盟计划

★ 中国信奉“高即美”

★ 朝鲜的非法武器贸易

★ 以色列开枪一名巴勒斯坦人被打死