(18:00, September 25th, Maseru Avani Conference Hall)
Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to pay my respects to:
The Head of State, His Majesty King Letsie the III
The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Matekane
The Honourable Ministers in His Majesty’s Government
Distinguished guests and Media houses present,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to gather with you on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The past 75 years have witnessed a relentless struggle of the Chinese people and monumental transformations of the once extremely poor and oppressed nation. The Chinese people have achieved a great leap from standing up, to getting rich, and to becoming strong. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the party’s central committee with comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has gained historic achievements and undergone historic changes. China’s national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.
First, China has wiped away the century-long humiliation and ushered in independence and liberation. On October 1st, 1949, the great leader Chairman Mao Zedong solemnly announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China, putting an end to China’s history as a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. China thus secured the nation’s independence, liberated the people, injected new momentum and confidence into the global anti-imperialist, anti-colonial, and anti-hegemonic movements, and provided valuable experience for other nations’ struggles towards independence.
Second, China has shaken off poverty and become the world’s second-largest economy. China’s GDP has grown from 12.3 billion US dollars in1949, accounting for less than 5% of the world total, to 17.9 trillion US dollars in 2023, comprising 16.9% of the global economy. Over the years, China’s average annual contribution to global economic growth has exceeded 30%, maintaining its position as the world’s largest trader of goods. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP reached 8.7 trillion US dollars, growing by 5.0% year-on-year, making itself a vital engine and stabilizer for global economic growth.
Third, China has increased its international status continuously, stepping closer and closer to the center of the global stage. China has emerged as an important participant, builder, and contributor to the international system. Especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, proposed by President Xi Jinping, has evolved into an international consensus. Over the past ten years, China has joined hands with relevant parties to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and has established the world’s largest international cooperation platform. The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative have resonated widely, bringing about greater democracy and multipolarity to international relations and contributing China’s solutions and wisdom to the building of a more just and equitable international order.
Distinguished guests,
The fundamental reason for China’s historic achievements over the past 75 years lies in the robust leadership of the Communist Party of China. Both history and reality prove that without the CPC, there wouldn’t be a New China. Over the past 75 years, the CPC has led the Chinese people through painful struggles, and realized the first Centenary Goal. The success of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee signaled that the CPC will continue to lead the Chinese people in comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization, and march resolutely towards the second Centenary Goal.
China has independently explored a development path suited to its national conditions—the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The successful practice of this path has not only yielded remarkable achievements for China but also offered a new option for modernization to other developing countries.
China has consistently adhered to the path of peaceful development, striving for a peaceful international environment for its own development and at the same time promoting world peace and stability through its own development. China leverages global opportunities fully while benefiting the world with its own opportunities. In the face of major changes unseen in a century and an unstable global landscape, President Xi Jinping, standing at the height of humanity’s future, proposed the major initiative of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three global initiatives, which have pointed out the right direction for the world.
Distinguished guests,
As one Chinese saying goes, “Fire burns brighter when everyone adds wood,” and similarly, an African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together.” The historic achievements of china in the past 75 years couldn’t have been possible without the support of our African brothers, including Lesotho. China has advanced forward hand in hand with our African brothers and sisters, with no one left behind. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Lesotho. Over the past 30 years, under the strategic guidance of leaders from both sides and with the joint efforts of the two peoples, our friendly and cooperative relationship has grown stronger over time, making substantial progress. Our political mutual trust has kept growing, practical cooperation in all fields has yielded fruitful results, and people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly frequent and close. Our bilateral relationship has withstood international changes across centuries, and is now leading the times with great strides, becoming a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation between countries different in size, tradition and condition.
Distinguished guests,
Recently, I participated in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, witnessing another historic event in China-Africa and China-Lesotho relations. The Right Honourable Prime Minister Matekane, led a delegation to attend the summit. He met with China’s leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to jointly draw the blueprint for China-Lesotho and China-Africa cooperation.The visit was a great success. Both sides decided to elevate the China-Lesotho relationship to a strategic partnership, injecting strong impetus into its development and marking a new milestone in its history. During the summit, China and Lesotho reached important consensuses on practical cooperation in various fields including renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. And I would like to name some of them:100 million RMB yuan in grants; 14 million RMB yuan of agricultural machinery and equipment; 10 million RMB yuan of emergency food; the Phase II of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant Project; acceleration of the Maseru Agriculture storage and Logistic Infrastructure Project; more government scholarships and various short-term training opportunities; the twin relationship between Maseru and Shandong Province of China. I am sure with sincere efforts of both sides, the practical cooperation between China and Lesotho will shine with unparalleled brilliance.
Last week, I had an in-depth exchange of views with the Honourable Foreign Minister Lejone, on how to timely and efficiently realize bilateral cooperation under the ten partnership actions of the Beijing Summit. For better implementation, China will continuously adhere to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.We also can draw experience from our successful cooperation projects, including the Phase I of the Mafeteng Solar Power Plant Project, Maseru District Hospital and Eye Clinic, and the Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe road. By doing so, I am confident that the outcomes of the Beijing Summit will be fully implemented.
Distinguished guest,
In a week’s time, Lesotho will celebrate the independence day and its 200th anniversary. President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to His majesty King Letsie III. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the government and the people of Lesotho!
May I invite you to raise glasses to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 58th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence, as well as the 200th anniversary of its founding. May China and Lesotho enjoy prosperity and their peoples well-being! May China-Lesotho relations enjoy a brighter future! May all the guests and your families enjoy good health and happiness!
Thank you! Khotso, Pula, Nala.