Gaborone, Botswana, 29 July 2025 – His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), received a courtesy visit from His Excellency Mr. Fan Yong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Botswana. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss issues of cooperation between SADC and China and to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and bilateral collaboration.
SADC and China maintain a longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership, grounded in diplomatic relations, bilateral cooperation, and cultural exchange. To support regional development, the Government of China provides the SADC Secretariat with an annual grant. This financial assistance contributes to corporate planning and the implementation of strategic initiatives within the Secretariat.
H.E. Magosi expressed his sincere gratitude for China’s ongoing support, highlighting the critical role the annual grant plays in strengthening the Secretariat’s capacity for corporate planning, operational efficiency, and the review and execution of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2030-2050. He emphasised the importance of sustaining collaboration in key areas including trade, investment, infrastructure and economic development.
Ambassador Yong reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of China to deepen relations with SADC. He conveyed China’s appreciation for the robust partnership with the SADC region and reiterated China’s readiness to continue supporting regional cooperation and development efforts.
The annual grant from China also facilitates the SADC Secretariat’s engagement with regional and continental organisations, ensuring alignment of its policies with global and continental frameworks such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Both parties expressed their mutual commitment to further strengthen strategic cooperation and to formalise specific areas of collaboration.
This meeting underscores China’s broader dedication to Africa. Through platforms such as the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China continues to enhance its engagement with the continent. At the recent FOCAC summit in Beijing, China announced a US$50 billion support package for Africa over the next three years, reaffirming its commitment to promoting sustainable development across the region.