Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun at the Handing-over Ceremony of China-aid Agricultural Machinery and Equipment to the Kingdom of Lesotho

First of all, please allow me to pay respects to:

His Majesty King Letsie III,
His Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane,
Honorable President of the Senate,
Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,
His Lordship the Chief Justice,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,
Honourable Ministers in His Majesty's cabinet, especially
Honorable Ministers present here,
Members of Senate and National Assembly,
All government officials,
Distinguished guests,
Friends from Media Houses,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Last September, Honorable Minister Thabo Mofosi and I, representing the governments of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the People's Republic of China respectively, signed the China-aid Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Agreement. Today, I hereby formally hand over 148 units of agricultural machinery and equipment to the Kingdom of Lesotho. This batch of machines is worth 36 million Maloti. It is another new outcome of China aid to Lesotho and the implementation of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Here, I would like to express my gratitude to His Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane, for his personal efforts and inputs on the delivery of the machinery and equipment. I clearly remember the enthusiasm he showed during his visit to China last year. Your Right Honorable, you inspected the machines in China last year, and this year they are here in Lesotho. I hope they will be dispatched very soon to the farmers. I also hope to taste maize, sorghum or wheat produced by Basotho farmers who use these machines immediately after this coming harvesting season. By tasting your harvest, I will share your happiness and success. I am sure, the moment of that tasting will be happier and prouder to me than right now. I also would like to thank Honorable Ministers and all departments and friends involved in the handing-over ceremony.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In September 2024, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held, opening a new chapter of China and Africa building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. H.E. President Xi Jinping and leaders from the African side jointly charted the future of China-Africa relations, and put forward a six-point proposition on China and Africa's joint pursuit of modernization and ten partnership actions China will take with Africa for modernization.

I'm delighted that since the successful conclusion of the Beijing Summit, a series of key projects have been successfully implemented in Lesotho. Right before our eyes, alongside the A1 highway, a new modern building has risen from the ground. That's China-aid Agriculture Storage and Logistic Infrastructure, which has just completed the completion acceptance, and another handing-over ceremony is scheduled to be held soon. Furthermore, Fingerprint Examination Laboratory and 810 tons of Emergency Food Aid have been handed over. The 19th Chinese Medical Team is working in Maseru District Hospital. The construction of Maseru Fire Station has started. Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology has been formally established. The Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund will support UNAIDS Lesotho in the project of eliminating the triple threat in girls and young women in Lesotho. Meanwhile, we are promoting the implementation of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signing Protocol on Greasy Wool Exports to China with Lesotho and engaging in JUNCAO (mushroom) Cultivation and Technical Cooperation Project. Recently, China-Africa Development Fund has conducted a visit to Lesotho, actively engaging with potential partners and exploring investment opportunities. Several other private companies from China will set up their business with Lesotho partners very soon. We firmly believe that China-Lesotho cooperation holds tremendous potential and promising prospects for the future, and the Basotho people will benefit tangibly from our cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Poverty remains a prominent challenge confronting the vast number of developing countries, and its eradication stands as the primary goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Chinese government has prioritized poverty alleviation in its governance, mobilizing a massive people's war against poverty. From 2015 to 2020, China successfully lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty. In 2021, on the occasion of the Centenary of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government declared a comprehensive victory in the battle against poverty, embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country. We actively engage in international poverty reduction cooperation, providing assistance to other developing countries to the best of our capacity. At present, creating employment opportunities and alleviating poverty are key priorities for the government of Lesotho. We are willing to share our successful experiences in poverty eradication with our Basotho friends and contribute to Lesotho's efforts in "promoting inclusive growth."

Ladies and gentlemen,

In three recently released reports, the Atlantic Council, accused China of its mining, demand for timber, and fishing in West Africa. These reports misapply concepts and present one-sided arguments. They even cite unverified stories to deliberately vilify and attack China's normal cooperation with West African countries. This is clearly intended and simply disgraceful. Over the long term, China works with African countries under the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. It gives a boost to economic growth and sustainable development there and is welcomed by governments and peoples of African countries. Africa's growing enthusiasm is the most convincing example of how mutually beneficial their cooperation with China is. The Chinese government asks Chinese companies overseas to strictly abide by laws and policies of the host countries. We will continue to ask them to implement the vision of green development and place high priority on environmental protection throughout their cooperation in Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee successfully concluded recently and set the following major objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (from 2026 to 2030): significant achievements in high-quality development; substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively; notable cultural and ethical progress across society; further improvements in quality of life; major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative; and further advances in strengthening the national security shield. Building on this, we will work hard for a further five years to see that by the year 2035 China's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, national defense capabilities, composite national strength, and international influence will all be markedly stronger, that its per capita GDP will be on a par with that of a mid-level developed country, that its people will live better and happier lives, and that socialist modernization will be basically realized. It was also stated that we should continue to expand opening up at the institutional level, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We should advance reform and development through greater openness and seek to share opportunities and achieve common development with the rest of the world. Embracing China is embracing opportunities, believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future. China is willing to share opportunities, pursue development and advance modernization together with our Basotho friends!

Ladies and gentlemen,

China and Lesotho share profound traditional friendship and have long been offering each other steadfast support. Early this month, President Xi Jinping and His Majesty King Letsie III exchanged congratulatory messages on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and Lesotho's 59th independence day. The high-level close interactions between the two countries demonstrate that China and Lesotho have established a strategic partnership and rendered each other firm support on issues bearing on our respective core interests and major concerns in recent years. We appreciate the Lesotho's consistent position of supporting the one-China principle, which serves as the political foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will resolutely support Lesotho's development, cherish our friendship, and honor our commitments. We will enhance coordination and cooperation to jointly address all risks and challenges. China will always be a trustworthy good friend, good partner, and good brother to Lesotho!

Thank you all!