…as Beijing marks 77th anniversary
Moroke Sekoboto
CHINA has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Lesotho as it marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Maseru this week, Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaokun said the two countries had continued to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, health, infrastructure and human capital development.
He said China’s progress over the past 77 years had been driven by self-reliance and sustained effort, resulting in what he described as historic achievements, transforming the country from one with relatively backward productive forces into the world’s second-largest economy while lifting the living standards of its people from bare subsistence to moderate prosperity.
Mr Yang said China had also continued to modernise its governance system, advance the rule of law, deepen reform and opening up, and develop what he called whole-process people’s democracy.
“We achieved new breakthroughs in scientific, technological and industrial innovation, expanded high-standard opening up, and consolidated our position as the world’s largest trader in goods. This year, China’s steady growth continues to serve as an important engine and anchor of stability for the world economy,” he said, adding that the achievements demonstrated the resilience of the Chinese economy and its shift towards innovation-driven, high-quality development.
“While China presses ahead with its own development, we are also keenly aware that our celebration unfolds in a world still facing conflicts, development challenges and uncertainties that weigh on the lives of ordinary people,” Mr Yang said.
He said greater international cooperation was necessary to uphold peace, promote development and create conditions for countries to prosper, noting that President Xi Jinping had, against this backdrop, put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.
Mr Yang said Lesotho had firmly supported these initiatives and translated that support into concrete action.
“Lesotho has firmly supported these initiatives and translated its support into concrete action. It is a member of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative and was among the founding members of the Group of Friends of Global Governance,” he said.
He commended Lesotho’s support for multilateralism and its efforts to strengthen the voice of African countries in global affairs, as well as its adherence to the one-China principle and its support on issues concerning China’s core interests.
He said the two countries had reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in international affairs while opposing unilateral sanctions, protectionism and economic hegemonism.
Turning to bilateral economic cooperation, Mr Yang said China had waived two interest-free loans amounting to M224.94 million in April, fulfilling a commitment made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit. In July this year, the two countries launched Phase II of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant, with an installed capacity of 50 megawatts, further supporting Lesotho’s energy transition and green development.
He said trade and agriculture remained important areas of cooperation, with the signing of a protocol on the export of Lesotho wool to China providing a foundation for expanding bilateral agricultural trade.
Mr Yang said that following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease earlier this year, Chinese and Lesotho authorities had maintained communication and technical exchanges while working through a risk-assessment process to address its impact on wool and mohair exports.
“China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, and Lesotho is among the countries that will benefit from this policy,” he said. “We hope to work together to turn this policy opportunity into concrete gains for Basotho farmers, businesses and workers, and to bring more quality Lesotho products to the Chinese market.”
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Richard Ramoeletsi, standing in for Minister Limpho Tau who was away on official business, said the relationship between Lesotho and China was founded on mutual respect, equality and common development.
He said diplomatic relations between the two countries were resumed on 12 January 1994 and had since grown into a broad partnership, adding that the two sides had reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the China-Lesotho strategic partnership following the January 2026 visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“In January 2026, during the visit of His Excellency Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, our two sides issued a Joint Press Communiqué in which we reaffirmed our commitment to advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level and to make it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems,” he said.
Mr Ramoeletsi reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to the one-China principle, recognising the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and Taiwan as part of Chinese territory. He said Lesotho also valued China’s support for the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
“The strength of our partnership is measured not only in words, but in projects that change lives,” he said, citing the completion of the Mpiti-Sehlaba-Thebe Road as one of the tangible outcomes of bilateral cooperation, which had improved connectivity between rural communities and urban centres while facilitating trade, access to services and tourism.
He also highlighted Chinese support for Maseru District Hospital, including the provision of CT scanners, digital X-ray machines, an intensive care unit and a pathology laboratory, as well as the ongoing construction of the Maseru Fire Station and the provision of a fire engine, which he said would strengthen urban safety and emergency response.
In the energy sector, Mr Ramoeletsi said Phase I of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant, with an installed capacity of 30 megawatts, was contributing to Lesotho’s energy security and its transition towards cleaner power.
He said Chinese support in agriculture had also shifted from providing inputs to strengthening systems.
“In 2025, China donated 148 pieces of agricultural machinery worth M36 million and handed over the Maseru Agricultural Storage and Logistics Infrastructure to strengthen post-harvest management and market linkages. This will go a long way in feeding the vulnerable population,” he said.
Mr Ramoeletsi also praised the contribution of Chinese medical teams, which have served in Lesotho since 1997, treating patients, performing surgeries, training local health workers and conducting outreach programmes in villages. The 20th Chinese Medical Team was currently serving at Maseru District Hospital, he said, with another team expected to be dispatched soon.
On trade and investment, Mr Ramoeletsi said China’s zero-tariff policy, covering 100 percent of tariff lines for African countries including Lesotho, had created opportunities for increased exports, particularly of wool, agricultural products and light manufacturing.
He said human capital development remained another important area of cooperation.
“Through Chinese scholarships and training programmes, Basotho have acquired skills and knowledge that are now being applied in our public service, private sector and communities,” Mr Ramoeletsi said.
He said the designation of 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges had opened up opportunities for activities involving youth, women, culture, education and civil society, further strengthening relations between the peoples of the two countries.
