Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun at the Thanksgiving Gathering at Mokhotlong District

Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honourable Tlohang Sekhamane,
Distinguished Chief,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here with all of you today. Just now, under the guidance of the Rt.Hon.Speaker, I witnessed the beautiful mountains and clear waters, heard the birds singing, and felt the warmth and sincerity of the people here. I once again thank the Rt.Hon.Speaker for his kind invitation.

The Rt.Hon.Speaker is a national leader known for his vision, sound judgment, and decisiveness. With extensive experience in public administration and a broad international outlook, he has always placed national interests above all else while serving as Speaker, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and in other key positions. He advocates unity and cooperation and has earned wide respect both at home and abroad. The Rt.Hon.Speaker is also a dear friend of mine. He has played an important role in promoting China-Lesotho relations, and we have often engaged in in-depth exchanges on our bilateral friendship and China's development experience.

What I saw here today reminded me of my own childhood in rural China. At that time, Chinese households were not affluent, and we had no tap water, electricity, or modern facilities. I vividly remember that from the age of seven or eight, I had to fetch water from the village well every day. I remember my grandmother doing needlework under a kerosene lamp while I studied under the same dim light. Those difficult years taught me how precious and significant development truly is.

Many years later, when I returned to my hometown, I saw wide roads, tidy villages, and modern schools. I deeply felt the achievements of China's urbanization and rural development, which made possible by national progress and the hard work of countless ordinary people.

It is for this reason that I am willing to share China's development experience with you, because I firmly believe: If China can do it, Lesotho can do it too. China's development offers many valuable experience, and today I would like to share four of them:

First, strong leadership. China's rapid development would not have been possible without the core leadership of the Communist Party of China. This strong leadership has ensured long-term stability, policy consistency, and clear national direction. Lesotho also needs a central leadership capable of guiding the nation's development.

Second, planning and vision. A family needs a plan, and even more so a country. China has its "two-centenary goals" and a series of Five-Year Plans that guide continuous progress. It is this tradition of planning and sustained effort that has carried us to where we are today. Lesotho also needs such a clear blueprint.

Third, hard work. A house is built brick by brick. China's development was built step by step through the diligence of millions of ordinary people. Every job, everyone's effort pushes the country forward. The hard work of the Basotho people will likewise be an essential driving force for national development.

Fourth, openness of mind. China was not born a strong nation, it grew strong by learning from the world and absorbing advanced experience. Lesotho is known as the "Kingdom in the Sky", able to see far from its high vantage point, it is an advantage in learning. By combining its own conditions with lessons from the world, Lesotho can surely find a development path suited to itself.

My friends, over the years, through both official and personal interactions, I have learned a great deal from the Rt.Hon.Speaker. I always feel that China and Lesotho share similar cultural traditions: we value family and cherish our homeland. Wherever the Speaker travels, his heart always remains with his hometown. He often speaks to me about the local water supply, electricity, schools, and elderly residents. His sincerity deeply touches me. He told me that the system bringing river water to the reservoir has encountered problems. The Chinese Embassy is willing to contribute modest support to help repair the water system. I sincerely hope people will soon enjoy convenient access to clean natural water.

Just now, the Rt.Hon.Speaker pointed out the primary school located far from here. When I was a child, my school was about half that distance away, and I still remember how hard it was to walk there in strong winds, rain, or snow. I fully understand the challenges faced by the children and the concerns of their parents. The Rt.Hon.Speaker's decision to donate his own land to build a new school touched me once again. We will do our best to support the school and help create a more convenient learning environment for the children, contributing to the future.

Dear friends, development is built generation by generation, and cooperation comes from the connection of hearts. China is ready to work hand in hand with Lesotho and with all of you to strive for a better life and a more prosperous nation.

Thank you.