GABORONE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassador to Botswana Zhao Yanbo on Wednesday called on African countries to work with China to build a community with a shared future.

Addressing academics and students at the University of Botswana here, the Chinese diplomat expounded on China-Africa relations and China-Botswana relations and elaborated on how to build closer ties between China and Africa.

Noting that China is the largest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries, Zhao said China and Africa shared similar historical experience, development undertakings and political expectations.

The two sides have opened up a path of mutually-beneficial cooperation with unique characteristics, said the ambassador.

Zhao reviewed the various achievements from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September, highlighting that the two sides should fully implement the eight new initiatives on industrial promotion, trade facilitation and green development, among others.

After his speech, the Chinese diplomat answered questions from the audience. Many present the event said they had a better understanding of China's role in Africa's development and hoped China-Africa relations grow even better so as to bring more positive changes to people's lives.