Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held talks with Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Beijing, and the two leaders agreed to raise bilateral ties to a new level.

Masisi, on a state visit to China, is to attend the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4.

"We appreciate that the Botswana government is committed to China-Botswana friendship and deepening cooperation with China in all areas," Xi said, suggesting the two sides aim high and look far, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation to raise bilateral ties to a new high.

Xi stressed the need for China and Botswana to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen governmental, legislative and sub-national exchanges and always understand and support each other on issues involving their development paths, core interests and major concerns.

China stands ready to enhance aligning development strategies with Botswana and welcomes Botswana to take an active part in the Belt and Road construction, Xi added.

The Chinese president also spoke of the need to boost people-to-people exchanges, wildlife protection, communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, jointly safeguard the rights and interests of the developing countries, advance development of a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Masisi said Botswana has since independence maintained good ties with China. Botswana people appreciate China's continued assistance in areas such as infrastructure and healthcare.

Botswana would like to congratulate and learn from China's great achievements in development and poverty alleviation, he added.

While voicing the willingness to boost the bilateral ties to a new high, Masisi said China is an important force in the international community and a key partner of developing countries. Botswana firmly upholds the one-China policy, agrees to the great concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, supports the Belt and Road Initiative and is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation within the FOCAC framework.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.