Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun Gives Interview to Lesotho Media on H.E. Wang Yi’s Visit to Lesotho

From 10 to 11 January 2026, 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, paid an official visit to Lesotho. In an interview with local media, H.E. Ambassador Yang Xiaokun briefed on the significance of the visit, major outcomes achieved, and the importance of China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Africa New 24, Lesotho Television, Lesotho News Agency, Lesotho Times, The Post, Public Eye were present. The interview transcript is as follows.

1. Question:His Excellency Wang Yi was in the country recently. What is the significance of his visit, and why is Lesotho important to China?

Ambassador Yang: Indeed, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, paid an important visit to Lesotho this year. It is worth noting that this is not an isolated event. For 36 consecutive years, the Chinese Foreign Minister has made Africa the destination of the first overseas visit at the beginning of each year. This long-standing tradition reflects the high priority China attaches to Africa.

China and Africa share profound similarities. China is the largest developing country in terms of population, while Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. We share similar historical experiences, face common development challenges, and pursue the same goal of modernization. We also share a common vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Against the current complex international landscape, this partnership is more important than ever.

While some countries are increasingly preoccupied with their own regional concerns and even impose coercive tariff measures on African countries, China remains a steadfast and reliable friend of Africa. China has announced zero-tariff treatment for African countries, demonstrating our concrete support for Africa's development. Africa matters to China, because African countries are our true and trusted friends.

As for Lesotho, I am particularly proud that it was included as one of the destinations of Minister Wang Yi's visit this year. China and Lesotho enjoy excellent political relations. The two countries maintain frequent exchanges between their leaders, and we have received sincere and considerate messages of support from His Majesty King Letsie III during times when China faced natural disasters. We also regularly exchange congratulatory messages on national occasions, reflecting the closeness of our friendship.

Importantly, Lesotho has consistently provided firm support to China on issues concerning China's core interests, including the one-China principle and human rights issues.

At the same time, China-Lesotho practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Over the past year, cooperation projects have progressed steadily, with frequent handover and launching ceremonies across various sectors. Our two countries also share common positions on global issues such as climate change, as well as strong alignment on major initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative.

Lesotho is included in Minister Wang Yi's visit not by coincidence, but because Lesotho matters, and its people matter. China values every sincere friend, and Lesotho is one of them.

2. Question: China is an important partner for Lesotho, as evidenced by numerous projects. What new outcomes were achieved during Minister Wang Yi's recent visit?

Ambassador Yang: Before highlighting the new outcomes, it is important to briefly look back at our recent cooperation. The year 2025 marked the second year of implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit held in 2024. Over the past year, many FOCAC commitments have been effectively delivered in Lesotho, including emergency food assistance, the handover of agricultural machinery and equipment and Agriculture Storage and Logistic Infrastructure, and the commencement of construction of Maseru Fire Station and Fire Engine. The Confucius Institute at the National University of Lesotho has also made encouraging progress.

During Minister Wang Yi's visit, the two sides reached a series of new and important outcomes. First, China announced a new grant of RMB 100 million, about 250 million Maloti. Second, China will provide RMB 12 million (30 million Maloti) worth of emergency food assistance. In addition, substantial progress has been made on advancing the second phase of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant Project.

These outcomes mean that both the Chinese Embassy and our Lesotho partners will remain very busy in the coming year, focusing on implementation. To ensure effective coordination and delivery, the two sides agreed to establish a more structured Bilateral Cooperation Mechanism. Through close cooperation, we are confident that all the important consensus reached by our leaders will be translated into tangible benefits for the people of Lesotho.

3. Question:Minister Wang Yi also attended the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. What does this initiative mean for China-Africa relations? And as the Year of the Horse is approaching, what does the horse symbolize in Chinese culture?

Ambassador Yang: These two questions are closely connected, as both relate to culture and tradition.

President Xi Jinping has emphasized that "the foundation and lifeblood of China-Africa relations lie in the people". The relationship between China and Africa is ultimately rooted in exchanges and friendship between our peoples.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. To commemorate this important milestone, China and Africa jointly designated this year as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

This initiative is not merely symbolic. Around 600 exchange activities will be held throughout the year in China and across Africa, covering areas such as youth, women, culture, education, and civil society. These activities will further enhance mutual understanding, deepen grassroots friendship, and enrich people-to-people ties between China and Africa.

Regarding the Year of the Horse, 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar. Interestingly, whenever I think of Lesotho, the image that comes to my mind is a Mosotho riding a horse, wearing a Basotho hat and blanket. The horse is deeply embedded in Lesotho's culture and daily life.

In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes good fortune, vitality, and success. There are several well-known Chinese idioms related to the horse. For example, "马到成功" means "success comes as soon as the horse arrives," symbolizing a strong start, as our bilateral relationship in the year of 2026. "一马当先" refers to taking the lead, as the implementation of our practical cooperation. "万马奔腾" describes powerful collective momentum, as the China-Africa cooperation and friendship. Another saying, "快马加鞭", means urging a fast horse to go even faster, as the continuous progress of our bilateral relations in the year of 2026.

I sincerely hope that China-Lesotho relations will continue to advance with the same strength, speed, and vitality symbolized by the horse, and with the strong support and cooperation of our friends in Lesotho, to achieve even greater success in the year ahead.