GABORONE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Botswana and China held an economic and trade meeting on Wednesday here to seek more opportunities to boost the two countries' cooperation and relations.

Senior officials and diplomats of Botswana and China attended the first session of the Joint Committee on Economy, Trade, Investment and Technical Cooperation in the capital city of Botswana.

China's Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming, said the meeting will cement China-Botswana long-lasting relations.

"We are willing to actively and steadily enhance the mutually-beneficial and friendly cooperation between the two countries in the coming period so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples," Qian said.

Nonofo Molefhi, Botswana's Acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, said his country regards China as a strategic partner in development and hopes to see China's enhanced participation in Botswana's economic diversification.

Botswana is open to investment to boost productive capacity and facilitate the transfer of much needed skills and technologies, Molefhi said, adding that Botswana will utilize platforms such as the First China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo next month to showcase products and attract investments.