On March 12,the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho gave an interview to Lesotho Times(LT), introducing the 2025 “Two Sessions” and its great significance to China-Lesotho relations. The interview is transcribed as follows:

CHINA’S most significant political event of the year has just concluded, offering the world a glimpse into the country’s development trajectory, governance priorities,and international outlook. To provide insights into this pivotal event, the Lesotho Times (LT)sat down with the Chinese Embassy (CE) for an in-depth discussion on the significance and key takeaways of the “Two Sessions”.

LT: What are the Two Sessions?

CE: The “Two Sessions” refer to the annual meetings of China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies: the National People’s Congress(NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The NPC is China’s supreme organ of state power, with its Standing Committee serving as its permanent body. Delegates, elected from across provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, special administrative regions, and the armed forces, gather at the annual session to discuss and decide on national policies and legislation. This year, 2,884 NPC deputies attended the closing meeting. The CPPCC is China’s highest political advisory body and an essential institution for multiparty cooperation and consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It plays a crucial role in promoting socialist democracy and the practice of whole-process people’s democracy. This year, 2,082 CPPCC members participated in discussions and deliberations on key national policies. The two sessions, held around the same time each year, represent China’s most important political event. They serve as a platform reviewing the government’s work over the past year, addressing national priorities, and showcasing the unique features of “Chinese-style democracy”.

LT: What were the major issues at this year’s Two Sessions?

CE: One of the key highlights is the annual growth target, which sets the development priorities for the year. In 2025, China aims for GDP growth of around 5%, an urban unemployment rate of approximately 5.5%, the creation of more than 12 million new urban jobs, and a Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth of about 2%. Other priorities include maintaining grain output at approximately 700 million metric tons, reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 3%, and further improving environmental quality. Beyond economic goals, the NPC also reviews and amends significant legislation.

This year, lawmakers passed an amendment to the law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels, with President Xi Jinping signing a presidential order to promulgate the decision. The NPC also approved reports from the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People’s Court, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, underscoring China’s commitment to legislative oversight and judicial reform. At the CPPCC session, members approved four key documents, including resolutions on the Standing Committee’s work report and the handling of proposals submitted by members in the previous year.

A highly anticipated event at the Two Sessions is the Foreign Minister’s press conference, where China outlines its positions and policies on foreign affairs. This serves as a key moment for the international community to understand china’s diplomatic priorities and global engagement strategy.

LT: What does it mean for Lesotho?

CE: While the Two Sessions primarily focus on China’s domestic policies, the outcomes have far-reaching implications for the global economy. China’s high-quality development continues to create shared opportunities worldwide, and its open market is increasingly becoming a driving force for global trade and investment.

This year’s government work report reaffirmed China’s commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up, stabilizing foreign trade and investment, and fostering international economic cooperation. The message was clear: despite global uncertainties, China remains dedicated to providing development opportunities for the world. During the press conference held on the sidelines of the NPC session, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s commitment to global cooperation. Under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, China has made significant diplomatic progress contributed to global stability and advanced efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang Yi also reaffirmed China’s strong ties with Africa, highlighting that China and Africa are long-standing friends, partners, and brothers.

This year marks the beginning of the implementation of outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, China is committed to delivering on ten partnership actions aimed at supporting Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization, and technological advancement.

These initiatives include implementing zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, fostering new growth drivers such as digital, green and AI industries, promoting 1000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, enhancing governance experience sharing, and amplifying Africa’s representation on the global stage.

Over the past three decades since the resumption of diplomatic relations, China and Lesotho have maintained mutual respect and equal partnership. Despite shifts in the global landscape, political trust between the two nations has continued to grow, and cooperation has yielded tangible results.

By embracing China’s emerging opportunities and unwavering commitment to Africa, Lesotho can work alongside China to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, strengthen strategic partnerships, and build a China-Lesotho community with a shared future at an even higher level-bringing greater benefits to both nations and their people.