On 7 November 2017, the First Chinese Language Course for Lesotho Government Officials, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho together with the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho, was opened at the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College. Mr. Song Changqing, Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Thabang Lekhela, Deputy Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lesotho, about 30 officials from different ministries, Mr. Barry Sole, Headmaster of Machabeng College, teachers of Confucius Classroom, and media journalists attended the opening ceremony.

Mr. Song indicated in his remarks that, as China continues to make important contribution to world economic growth and the Chinese language and culture get increasingly attractive to the rest of the world, learning Chinese is becoming a fever and a fashion. The opening of the ever 1st Chinese language course for Lesotho government officials is significant for it shows the growing interest in learning Chinese among Basotho and the increasing interaction and cooperation between Chinese and Basotho. Cousellor Song expressed thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lesotho and the Machabeng College for their support and assistance, and wished success for the course.

Mr. Lekhela extended gratitude to the Chinese side for arranging such a Chinese course. He also pointed out that, as Chinese is one of the most important languages in the world and mutually enriching cultural exchanges is one of the five pillars of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Africa and China, learning Chinese will help the African people to enhance their understanding about China and promote Africa-China cooperation. He hoped the trainees would study hard so that to provide better services to Chinese nationals in Lesotho and further promote the bilateral relations.

Headmaster Mr. Sole expressed his congratulation and welcome to the course and said the College was ready to provide assistance to the trainees.

Mr. Yu, Chinese director of the Confucius Classroom introduced the teachers' team and the teaching plan.

Immediately after the ceremony, all trainees started their study. The course will take 15 weeks and is aimed to enable the trainees to pass Level 1 of Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK).