19 May 2021

Government has strongly condemned the May 14-16 public display of posters profiling Mr Dalai Lama and Ms Tsai Ing-wen, head of Taiwan Province in the People’s Republic of China, along Gaborone’s Nyerere Drive.

 A media release issued by the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation says government registers with great concern the  disturbing acts intended to undermine Botswana’s robust, friendly and fruitful relations with China.

 The release states that the posters were displayed without the knowledge and consent of government.

Government condemns the sponsors and those who publish such materials for their reckless and ill-intentioned actions, says the release.

It advises members of the public, special interest groups and all other entities intending to embark on any publicity campaign of this nature to be sensitive to the adverse impact they may have on the policies of the county and other sovereign states.

Botswana wishes to reiterate its unequivocal principled position on the One China Policy which is integral to its foreign policy towards China. ends