Remarks at the Medical Materials Hand-Over Ceremony
at the Motebang Hospital, Leribe
(Dr. Sun Xianghua, Ambassador of China, 9 December, 2016)
May I start by paying my respects to H.M. King LetsieIII, and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili,
Honorable Monyamane, Minister of Health
Distinguished Guests,
Friends from the media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It's my great honor to attend today's ceremony that marks the handing-over of the newest batch of medicines and equipments to Lesotho, brought by the 11th Chinese Medical Team. This Team arrived in Lesotho two months ago. Today's donation shows that the doctors of the medical team not only brought their expertise and services to Basotho people, but also the badly needed medicines and equipments in Motebang Hospital. With the help of these drugs and equipments, the Chinese doctors will do their jobs better, will share the financial cost of the Motebang Hospital and the Lesotho government, and will also alleviate the financial burdens of the local patients. In my opinion, doctors plus some medicines plus equipments, the help and assistance from China comes in a whole package, which ideally suits the needs and conditions in Lesotho. This practice has become a character of the Chinese Medical Team in Lesotho.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, nations have their borders, but humanitarianism does not have boundaries; countries and peoples may be rich or poor, but each person's right to basic health service should be equally guaranteed. Being a developing country itself, China fully understands the challenges and difficulties that African countries face in providing health services to their peoples. We may still remember that when Ebola epidemic erupted in Africa last year, China was the first country to respond to the crisis and send more than 1000 doctors to nurses to western Africa. They not only helped fight and control the epidemic, but also trained 13 thousand African doctors in the affected countries. We also know that more than 5 decades ago, as soon as some African countries gained their independence from the colonialism, the Chinese government started sending its doctors to Africa to help. By now, more than 20 thousand Chinese doctors have worked in Africa and more than 200 million patients have been treated. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Chinese medical teams have become the monuments of China-Africa friendship, inspiring more people both in China and Africa to contribute to this grand cause.
Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, the year 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the independence of Lesotho, it also marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the agreement of China's sending its medical teams to Lesotho. In the past 20 years, 10 medical teams and more than 130 doctors from China have worked in Lesotho, more than half a million Basotho patients have been helped by them. The Chinese doctors have not only rendered their services to the patients, but also carried out extensive exchanges with their counterparts in Lesotho, with an eye to improve the capabilities and expertise of both sides. I am confident that, no matter how China develops, China will always continue to send its doctors to Lesotho to help. The contribution made by the medical teams of China in Lesotho has been and will always be a legacy in China-Lesotho friendship.
Bome le bontate, as you may be aware, the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation held its summit in Johannesburg last December. At the summit, the Chinese President Xi Jingping announced that the Chinese government will further strengthen its cooperation with African countries in the coming years. China will provide 60 billion dollars' funding in Africa's ten major fields of development, including infrastructure, agriculture modernization, industrialization, public health, etc. At this moment, the governments of China and Lesotho are jointly studying some major projects that Lesotho has put forward. I believe, once these projects are implemented in the near future, the social and economic development of Lesotho will be greatly pushed forward. I am more confident that with China's steady development, it will be in a better position to render its support to our brotherly Basotho people and Lesotho government. Let us join hands and work together, making the China-Lesotho friendship bear more fruits for our two peoples.
With that, I conclude my remarks. Lastly, I avail myself this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year, wish you all the best.
Thank you all.