GABORONE, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi left the country Wednesday, on a state visit and to participate in the 2018 Beijing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In an interview on Wednesday in the capital Gaborone, Nonofo Molefhi, Acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, said China as one of the developing and advanced nations, is committed to strengthening ties with African countries to assist them better in ensuring economic growth and socio-economic development.

He said Botswana and China have shared cordial relations in areas of health, construction and other developments and therefore participation in FOCAC will help both countries to strengthen ties even further.

"FOCAC will award African countries willing to change the state of their nations to positively benefit from China by learning various strategies that China uses to develop and improve the lives of its people," he said.

Molefhi further indicated that President Masisi will pay a state visit ahead of the forum.

"The president will engage in discussions with his counterpart to discuss issues of interest to Botswana and to try and forge more relations between the two countries for the benefits of its people," he said.

President Masisi will pay a state visit to China from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5 and also attend the FOCAC Summit in Beijing.