Botswana President Boko visits Chow Tai Fook's new Beijing boutique during China state visit

Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko is on a state visit to China. During it, he visited the newly opened signature boutique of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited at Beijing SKP on October 14, along with a delegation. The company's SEHK stock code is 1929. The aim of the meeting was to discuss cooperation between China and Botswana across the entire natural diamond value chain.

Kent Wong, managing director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, welcomed President Boko and the delegation. He said the group has a long association with Botswana's diamond industry. He also explained how Chow Tai Fook gives natural diamonds new value by presenting cultural heritage in new ways and through contemporary design.

Boko's visit came as China and Botswana raised their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in the diamond sector and to improve access for Botswana's diamond products to the Chinese market.

Kent Wong said, "It is a great honour for us to welcome President Boko at Chow Tai Fook in Beijing. Botswana holds an important place in the global value chain of natural diamonds and in Chow Tai Fook's own journey with natural diamonds. Our long-standing partnerships with Botswana's diamond industry and the De Beers Group show a shared commitment to the lasting value of natural diamonds. We want to keep contributing our expertise in craftsmanship, design and retail, so that consumer confidence in natural diamonds grows and the industry can develop sustainably."

Botswana is among the world's leading diamond-producing countries, and diamonds are a key pillar of China-Botswana economic cooperation. The latest China-Botswana joint statement lists the diamond sector as an area for further cooperation. This includes better access for Botswana's diamond products to the Chinese market.

Chow Tai Fook has deep roots in the natural diamond industry and an established ability to source diamonds from around the world. The group's relationship with the De Beers Group dates to 1973, when Chow Tai Fook became a De Beers Group sightholder. Since 2011, Chow Tai Fook has run its own diamond cutting and polishing unit in Botswana. The group's reach thus spans the entire value chain, from sourcing and craftsmanship to jewellery design and retail.

Chow Tai Fook has also taken early steps in diamond traceability. T-MARK, launched in 2016, lets customers see the journey of selected diamonds, from sourcing, cutting and polishing to certification and setting. In FY2026, all newly purchased T-MARK diamonds could be traced to their country of origin.

In September 2026, Chow Tai Fook took part in the signing of the Beijing Declaration on natural diamonds and sustainable development, convened by the Shanghai Diamond Exchange. Government representatives from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and people from the Chinese and international diamond industry attended. The initiative supports closer engagement between diamond-producing countries and the Chinese market, and also improves consumers' understanding of the lasting value of natural diamonds.

Chow Tai Fook and the De Beers Group also recently launched the Desert Rose collection. It is inspired by the stone-like textures of desert roses and the resilience of plants that thrive in arid regions. The partnership builds on the long relationship between the two companies and reflects their shared focus on strengthening consumer appreciation of and confidence in natural diamonds.

Looking ahead, Chow Tai Fook says it will keep investing in design, craftsmanship and customer engagement. It wants to work with partners across the natural diamond value chain to contribute to the sustainable development of the industry and to the deep ties between China and Botswana.