…to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries
Mathatisi Sebusi/ Tokelo Khausela
A HIGH powered Chinese delegation was in Lesotho as part of efforts to strengthen the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Sam Matekane met with the delegation and shared his plans to venture into climate smart agriculture to increase food production and create jobs for Basotho.
The visitors, who touched down on Monday and flew out yesterday, were from the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) which is led by Vice Chairman and Head of the China-Africa Friendship Group, Mr Mu Hong.
Neither the delegation nor Mr Matekane spoke to the media after their closed meeting.
However, Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, told the Lesotho Times on the sidelines of the meeting, that Premier Matekane had told the delegation of his plans to develop climate smart agriculture.
The premier had said his government also wished to build silos and market centres where food produced in the country could be stored and sold respectively.
“The Prime Minister also told the Chinese delegation that his government wishes to venture into more clean energy generation projects using water, air and sun,” Mr Lejone said.
Mr Lejone said Mr Matekane had presented these projects after the Chinese delegation asked how Lesotho could be supported going forward to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mr Lejone said Mr Hong’s delegation had also visited Lesotho to assure the government of China’s commitment towards growing the relationship between the two countries as well as inspect some of the projects financed by the Chinese government in the Kingdom.
The minister also said that January 2024, would mark the 30th anniversary of resumption of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
China has been bankrolling a number of development projects in Lesotho. Mr Lejone said these include the Mpiti Sehlabathebe road currently under construction, the Maseru Hospital and Eye Clinic, and the Ramarothole Solar Energy Project, among many other bid projects.
The Mpiti Sehlabathebe road project entails the upgrading of the whole stretch of the 91km road. It is being funded by a concessionary loan from the Chinese government and is due for completion soon.
Maseru Hospital and Eye Clinic is a gift from the Chinese expected to be completed by early next year for handover to the government of Lesotho in the first quarter of 2024. The Ramarothole Solar Energy project was also funded through a Chinese government concessionary loan and is already generating electricity.
The delegation inspected the Maseru Hospital and Eye Clinic on Tuesday.
Mr Mpojane said Mr Hong, who is also a senior politician in China, would have meetings with the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) and its partners in government with the aim to build relations among the parties.
The delegation had toured the African continent and arrived in Lesotho from Rwanda. He said it would be visiting other African countries with the aim to strengthening relationships between China and various African countries.
Mr Mpojane said Mr Hong was already preparing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled for next year, and had already invited Mr Matekane to attend.
The FOCAC forum is a comprehensive platform that promotes the China-Africa relationship.
