Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun at the Launch Reception of China-Lesotho Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism

First of all, please allow me to pay my respects to:
His Majesty King Letsie III,
The 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,
Honorable Cabinet Ministers,
Your Excellency, Ntate PS and Mme.DPS
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all this evening. We gather today to celebrate the complete success of the recent historic visit to Lesotho by H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and to officially launch the China-Lesotho Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism between the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho.

First and foremost, please allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho for the warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangements extended to H.E. Wang Yi,  during his recent visit to Lesotho. This visit was not only a diplomatic event for our two countries, but also a vivid demonstration of the high level of mutual trust and friendship between China and Lesotho.

In Maseru, Minister Wang Yi held substantive discussions with the Right Honorable Sam Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho, and with the Honorable Lejone Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating the China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level and to making it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems. The Lesotho leadership reaffirmed its steadfast adherence to the one-China principle; reiterated its deep appreciation for China's longstanding support for Lesotho's development and expressed its firm commitment to strengthening cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect and shared benefit; welcomed China's policies aimed at enhancing trade and economic engagement; expressed Lesotho's readiness to deepen cooperation with China and strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs.

Minister Wang Yi stated that China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership. China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.

Following these meetings, the two sides issued the China-Lesotho Joint Communiqué, reaffirming firm mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the achievements in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns. The communiqué highlighted the shared determination to advance projects that produce tangible outcomes, strengthen strategic coordination, and expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, education, and public health. Both sides also underlined the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties, reinforcing the foundation of enduring friendship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Equally important, the visit produced clear follow-up tasks. During his meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Right Honorable Prime Minister proposed the establishment of a Coordination Mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of the outcomes of the visit. Following that important proposal, and building on prior consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy, our two sides have jointly agreed to establish a China-Lesotho Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism.

This mechanism is result-oriented and action-focused. Its main purpose is to maintain close coordination on major issues, to strengthen our mutual support, to review progress in the implementation of key cooperation projects, to facilitate problem-solving, and to exchange views on regional and international developments. Its success will depend on the sustained commitment and joint efforts of both sides.

I am pleased to announce that, starting from today, this China-Lesotho Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism is officially launched. We are also using this reception as the occasion to initiate our first round of dialogue under this framework.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

From a broader perspective, Minister Wang Yi's visit sent a clear and reassuring message to Africa and to Lesotho. For 36 consecutive years, China has chosen Africa as the destination of its Foreign Minister's first overseas visit, a tradition that speaks volumes about the depth of China-Africa friendship. Just before arriving in Lesotho, Minister Wang attended the launching of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the African Union headquarters, conveying President Xi Jinping's message that exchanges among peoples are the foundation and lasting source of vitality of China-Africa relations. At a time of profound global uncertainties, China came to Africa with sincerity and respect-treating African countries not as peripheral players, but as indispensable partners. Against this background, the visit to Lesotho conveyed a simple yet powerful message: Lesotho matters, its people matter, and China stands ready to deepen people-centered cooperation and work with Lesotho as a trusted strategic partner for shared development and a shared future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Looking ahead, under the strategic guidance of our leaders and with the effective operation of this coordination mechanism, I am confident that we will better translate consensus into action and commitment into concrete outcomes. China stands ready to work closely with Lesotho to steadily implement the outcomes of this historic visit, deepen practical cooperation, and bring more tangible benefits to our two peoples.

Let's continue to work hand in hand, as trusted partners and sincere friends, to push China-Lesotho relations to new heights and open an even brighter chapter in our shared future.

Thank you very much.