Remarks at the Hand-over Ceremony to Masowe and Lesia Middle school by China-Lesotho Fund for People-People Friendship Acts
(Dr. Sun Xianghua, Ambassador of China in Lesotho, Feb. 17, 2017)
May I start by paying my respect to H.M. King Letsie III, and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Pakalita Mosisili, with all protocols observed.
Hon. Motlalentoa Letsosa, Minister of Education and training,
Hon. Dr. Mamphono Khaketla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations,
Hon. Molahlehi Letlotlo, Minister of Social Development,
Dear compatriots and members of the China-Lesotho Fund for people-people Friendship Acts,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure and honor to witness the Hand-over of tuition-fees from the China-Lesotho Fund for People-people Friendship Acts to Masowe high school and Lesia high school. I have been informed that the China-Lesotho Fund for friendship acts have been supporting the two high schools' 40 students with their tuition fees for three consecutive years, with the total amount exceeding 100 thousand Maluti. First of all, I must take this opportunity to express our heart-felt appreciation to the Fund and the Chinese community for their gallant action. Thank you!
Dr. Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations once said, knowledge is power, information is liberating, education is the premise of progress in every society, every family. The government of Lesotho has long attached great importance to the development of education. In its National Strategic Development Plan, education is given top priority, and expenditure on education accounts one of the largest shares of the budget of the government. Under the joint efforts of the government and the society, Lesotho's adult literacy rate reaches 85.09%, being the highest in southern African region.
Meanwhile, just like any other countries in the world, Lesotho also has some children who are faced with various challenges of going school or receiving higher learning. As an unwavering friend of Lesotho, the Chinese government and people have regarded education as one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation. Over the years, the Chinese government has given over 300 government scholarships to Basotho young people to study in China, and also received over 2000 Basotho in various training programs in China. Only in last month, a state of art and fully equipper middle school, the China-Lestoho Friendship Middle School was handed over to Lesotho.
The Chinese community here in Lesotho, under the banner of the China-Lesotho Fund for People-people Friendship Acts, also mobilized to render their support to Basotho. Apart form the assistance of China-Lesotho Fund, I also know the Chinese business community across Lesotho, even in some of the most remote areas, has been helping the local children with their bursaries for many years. Their help and assistance, though humble and may seem insignificant, often come at the most needed times and many children's lives may have been changed and saved. Whenever I think about these laudable deeds of the Chinese compatriots, I always feel so proud of them. I strongly believe, with the development of China and the further development of China-Lesotho relations, the Chinese government and people will contribute ever more to the education cause of Lesotho. Just a few days ago, I had a discussion with Hon. Minister Letsosa. We discussed how we, the Ministry of Education, the local governments and communities, the Chinese Community and this Embassy can collaborate even more closely in helping the needy students in the near future. I am confident that more children will get help from this joint endeavor, and for this, I also call upon you to continue to give us your valuable assistance and facilitation.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, at this special occasion, I want to especially say few words to the students who have received assistance today. People of your age is the future of this nation, what you can accomplish in school, in a certain degree, will have huge impact on this country in the future. In order to achieve what your parents expect of you, in order to realize what ever dreams you have, you shall never succumb to what ever difficulties holding you from going to school, and you shall never squander your valuable time at school. I personally is a strong believer that education can change a person's fate. I sincerely hope all of you fully concentrate on your studies and set your target high. As a Chinese saying goes, set you target high, you may achieve the middle target, set your target in the middle, you may only reach the lower one. Therefore, I wish you make strong resolves for this new year to achieve excellence at school.
It would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to thank the Chinese community again for today's donation. It is very fair to say that to survive and development in a foreign country is not easy task at all. Over the years, the Chinese community has not only developed in Lesotho, but also increasingly contributed to Lesotho's social and economic development. They would not have done so if they don't treat Lesotho as the home away from home. I therefore hope that our Basotho friends and the Lesotho government will continue to render your valuable support to the Chinese community, so that they will make more contribution to this lovely country.
Last but not least, I shall use this opportunity to thank the Honorable Ministers for attending today's function. Your presence today is just another embodiment that the Lesotho government attaches great importance to the education cause, and also to developing China-Lesotho brotherly relations. Thank you all!