On the evening of 8th March 2019, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana H.E. Dr. Zhao Yanbo and his wife Mme. Mao Xuehong held the 2019 International Women's Day Reception. Her Excellency Mrs. Neo Masisi, First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Hon. Botlogile Tshireletso, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and around 150 guests including senior government officials and their spouses, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives from the Chinese community attended the reception. Mme. Mao and Assistant Minister Hon. Botlogile Tshireletso delivered remarks at the reception.

Mme. Mao firstly expressed sincere festive greetings to all the ladies present. In her remarks, she emphasized that since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the promotion of gender equality and women’s development have always been a basic state policy. Today in China, women often find themselves multi-tasking and playing their part in the economic and social development. She pointed out that at the Global Leader’s Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment held at the United Nations in 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to gender equality and women’s development, which set a new milestone in the history of the international women's movement.

Mme. Mao commended Batswana women for their self-respect, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-improvement, and their active participation in politics, business, family and other fields, which has made unique contributions to the country, society and families. She spoke highly of the significant achievements of women's empowerment in Botswana , and said that women in China and Botswana view each other as close sisters, so the two sides should make concerted efforts to conduct various forms of exchanges and cooperation in different areas and make China-Botswana relations more productive and fruitful so as to achieve win-win cooperation for common development.

Hon. Botlogile Tshireletso reaffirmed that for the society to thrive and be happy, it is important to eliminate gender based violence, barriers and disparities. She pointed out that Botswana is affording women the opportunity to participate in all sectors of the society in order to build solid platform and foundations for nations. She commended the progress of women’s empowerment in China, and regarded the reception as a testimony of the excellent relations between Batswana and Chinese women as well as the two governments.

Her Excellency Mrs. Neo Masisi and other distinguished guests enjoyed the cultural performance presented by teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana and the ladies from the Chinese Women’s Association in Botswana. The wonderful performance won resounding applause from the audience.

The event is covered by both Botswana and Chinese media.