The Global Times, citing Xinhua, reported that President Xi Jinping held talks on the afternoon of October 13 at the Great Hall of the People with Botswana's President Duma Boko, who is on a state visit to China. The two leaders announced an upgrade of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Before the talks, Xi and his wife held a welcome ceremony for the Bokos, with a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square and an honor-guard review. Foreign Minister Wang Yi took part in the events.

Xi recalled that Botswana voted in the 1970s, before the two countries established diplomatic ties, to restore the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China at the United Nations, and said the two sides should carry forward that mutual support. He said the ruling parties should exchange governance experience and that China backs Botswana in following a development path suited to its conditions. On trade, he urged making use of China's zero-tariff treatment for African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, and cooperating in the digital economy, agriculture and livestock, as well as a smart-education project.

On China-Africa mining cooperation, Xi set out four points: African resources belong to Africa; cooperation should balance ethics and interests for mutual benefit; mining ties should shift toward value-added industry; and a fair, open environment is needed, with African resources not becoming a tool of geopolitical rivalry. Botswana is a mining economy best known for diamonds, so the message connects to the agenda of processing and value-added chains. The report gave no specific investment sums or contract details.

Boko said China has lifted its entire rural poor population out of poverty and that Botswana can learn from its experience, and that Botswana adheres to the one-China principle and opposes 'Taiwan independence' and interference in China's internal affairs. He hoped to deepen cooperation in the Belt and Road, industry, agriculture, mining, innovation and digital transformation. After the talks the two leaders witnessed the signing of several documents covering the Global Security Initiative, the Belt and Road, green minerals, health and human resources, and the sides issued a joint statement on establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership.

That afternoon Xi also met Faure Gnassingbé, Togo's president of the council of ministers, who is on an official visit. As reported by the Global Times, the leaders announced raising ties to a 'China-Togo community with a shared future for the new era.' Xi said the friendship was forged by the countries' earlier leaders, welcomed Togo to use zero tariffs and a 'green channel' for exports to China, and hoped Togo could serve as a regional trade and logistics hub. He praised Togo's push to widen cross-border use of the renminbi and offered cooperation in new energy and digital fields to support its industrialization.

Xi laid out four principles for resolving African hotspot issues: African-led solutions, fairness and justice, peace through dialogue rather than war or unilateral sanctions, and addressing both symptoms and root causes. Gnassingbé said next year marks the 55th anniversary of ties and that Togo fully agrees with the four principles. Taken together, the two meetings show Beijing pairing practical cooperation on zero tariffs, mining and infrastructure with upgrades in diplomatic status. All statements here are as relayed by Chinese state media; independent releases from the African governments could not be confirmed.