Staff of CNQC:

Greetings!

First of all, I would like to express my congratulations to all the staffs of the project team. Over the past five years, the team has overcome numerous challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, complex geological conditions, difficult construction, and rising material costs. Despite these difficulties, the project has been successfully completed, your hard work and outstanding achievements are highly commendable and deserve warm congratulations.

This is my first time visiting the Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe Road project since I assumed my post, and I came with great excitement as well as a clear purpose. First, I wanted to see this road, which has been highly praised by the Lesotho side. Throughout my interactions with the Lesotho government, from the Prime Minister to Ministers, officials at all levels, and citizens, Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe Road is always mentioned. The Lesotho side never hesitates to offer praise, calling it the most beautiful, highest-quality, and most beneficial road in the country. After my visit today, I believe the road deserves the praise. These results have been built step by step by CNQC, from the very start to the completion, from the foundation to the road surface, layer by layer. After the completion of the road, the Prime Minister proposed an ambitious plan to build a road network and complete the paving of all roads in Lesotho. This shows that Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe Road has brought not only practical economic and social benefits to Lesotho, but more importantly, it has sparked the people's imagination for a better future and a brighter vision.

Second, I am here to see the CNQC Group, which has left a deep impression on the Prime Minister. During his visit to China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Prime Minister visited Qingdao and specifically requested to tour CNQC. In Lesotho, the infrastructure projects undertaken by CNQC, represented by the Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe Road, have left a wonderful and lasting impression on the Prime Minister. We should fully leverage this positive impression, seize opportunities, and continue to play an important role. At present, CNQC and other Chinese enterprises have made significant inroads in Lesotho, and in the future, we should continue to expand our business and further optimize our development. Today, as I saw the road, I was reminded of some of the projects and ideas the Prime Minister shared with us when he visited CNQC’s headquarters. I believe that under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and driven by the Prime Minister’s grand vision, Chinese enterprises, including CNQC, will have great potential in Lesotho. Chinese companies undertaking key projects in Lesotho is beneficial for pushing forward bilateral relations. The Embassy has a responsibility to ensure the safety and interests of these companies, while also requiring them to safeguard the reputation of “Chinese enterprises,” showcasing Chinese quality and image. Chinese enterprises have achieved remarkable success in Lesotho, which gives me great confidence in the future of China-Lesotho practical cooperation. Through deep involvement from these companies, I am confident that the mutually beneficial and friendly relationship between our two countries will continue to deepen.

Third, I would like to explore the vast potential for diversification. Large-scale projects are important for enterprises to expand their business and are keys to drive bilateral relations forward. However, such large projects are always limited. Therefore, our companies should consider exploring more business fields in Lesotho and finding broader development opportunities. This was also an insight I gained during the Prime Minister’s visit to Shandong. Shandong Province has advantages in both agriculture and industry, with a complete range of production categories. Lesotho is now focused on fields such as new energy and infrastructure, in which Shandong also has relevant resources and experience. I will continue to listen to the thoughts of the Lesotho side and hope that both sides can achieve mutually beneficial cooperation in these fields. I also hope that Chinese companies will actively explore ways to expand their business through their own channels.

Finally, I want to emphasize that the successful completion of the Mpiti to Sehlaba-Thebe Road project is not the end, but a new beginning. This is my philosophy, and it is also CNQC’s philosophy. I believe that CNQC’s achievements in Lesotho today are closely related to this philosophy. Only by treating the completion of each project as the starting point for the future can we continue to move forward steadily, step by step, reaching new heights and build solid foundations.

Thank you all!