Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang has opposed the visit of Dalai Lama, who seeks greater autonomy for Tibet. 

China is increasing its influence in Africa by accelerating its economic expansion on the continent. Botswana's neighbor, South Africa, defied domestic and international criticism to repeatedly deny the Dalai Lama a visa.

Botswana's economic ties with China are also deepening as Chinese companies are investing in the country's infrastructure, such as power plants. But Botswana's Government is not always in favor of China. Last year, it issued a statement that insinuated criticism of Beijing over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.