Botswana’s justice minister, Nelson Ramaotwana, has praised Chinese businesses for contributing technology, skills and employment opportunities to communities across the country.

Mr Ramaotwana made the remarks in Gaborone at an event marking the Chinese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.

He said relations between Botswana and China had moved beyond trade to include business cooperation, partnerships and stronger people-to-people exchanges.

He described business-to-business cooperation between the two countries as encouraging, saying bilateral relations were growing from strength to strength.

Mr Ramaotwana urged Botswana entrepreneurs to explore joint ventures and other partnerships with Chinese businesses in areas of mutual interest.

He said entrepreneurs were instrumental in translating bilateral agreements into practical projects and creating livelihoods for local communities.

Chinese ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong endorsed the minister’s remarks, stressing Chinese businesses’ contribution to Botswana’s development and the strengthening of bilateral relations.

Mr Yong said Batswana participation in the Mid-Autumn Festival was significant in promoting people-to-people exchanges and advancing the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

More than 300 people attended the celebration, organised by the Botswana Shandong Business Association.

Participants included government officials, local businesspeople, members of the Chinese medical team, representatives of the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana, and Chinese companies operating in Botswana.

The event featured Chinese songs, dances and games.

(Xinhua/NAN)