On 2nd September, H.E. Ambassador Lei Kezhong held a reception for assuming office at Maseru Avani hotel. Hon. Acting Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki, Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment Keketso Rants'o, Hon. Minister of Public Service Semano Sekatle, Hon. Minister of Water Samonyane Ntsekele, Hon. Minister of Finance Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, Hon. Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Dr. Mahali Phamotse, Hon. Minister of Development Planning Tlohelang Aumane, Hon. Minister of Education and Training Dr. Ntoi Rapapa, Hon. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Halebonoe Sets'abi, Hon. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Nthabiseng Makoae, Hon. Deputy Minister of Health 'Manthabiseng Phohleli, Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Mothepu Mahapa, Hon. former Prime Minister Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili, Hon. former Deputy Prime Ministers Archibald Lehohla and Mothejoa Metsing, Commander of Lesotho Defence Force Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, Deputy Commander of Lesotho Defence Force Major General Matela Albinus Matobakele, Chief of Staff of Lesotho Defence Force Major General Poqa Motoa, Senators and Members of Parliament, Principal Secretaries and other senior officials of the Government of Lesotho, Heads of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Chinese Community,as well as Mr. Song Changqing, the Political Counsellor and Mr. Ma Guoliang, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy attended the reception.
Ambassador Lei indicated that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of the resumption of the diplomatic relations between China and Lesotho. Over the 25 years, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and shared benefits, the China-Lesotho relations have forged ahead steadily and soundly on the right track. Both countries have made remarkable contributions to safeguarding the peace, development and cooperation around the world as well as building an even stronger China-Africa community with shared future.
He pointed out that China attached great importance to the development of China-Lesotho relations, and wished to take full advantage of the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the important consensus of leaders of both sides to further expand the bilateral cooperation in various fields and translate the Eight Initiatives of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the bilateral MOU on Belt and Road Initiative into real cooperation outcomes to deliver more tangible benefits to both peoples.
Ambassador Lei also said he was honored and keenly aware of his responsibility as the 11th Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho. He would spare no efforts to fulfill this lofty mission in promoting and strengthening friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Hon. Deputy Foreign Minister Halebonoe Sets'abi extended sincere welcome to H.E. Ambassador Lei. On behalf of the Lesotho government, he reaffirmed that Lesotho firmly support to the One China Policy and spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Lesotho. Hon. Sets'abi indicated that the FOCAC had become the beacon of hope for Africa predicated on the spirit of South-South cooperation and mutual benefit, which had also become the most powerful locomotive for Africa's development and rejuvenation. A number of major projects of strategic importance including the Maseru District Hospital and Ha Mpiti-to-Sehlaba Thebe Road will inject new impetus to Lesoto's socio-economic development. He said that Lesotho highly appreciated the Belt and Road Initiative of China, and believed it will expand the development space of Africa including Lesotho. He promised on behalf of the Lesotho government full cooperation and support to Ambassador Lei, and looked forward to further consolidation of the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
A warm and friendly atmosphere permeated at the occasion. The guests wished Ambassador Lei fruitful work and enjoyable life in Lesotho, and a brighter future of China-Lesotho relations. The reception was covered by LTV, LENA and other mainstream media of Lesotho.
The Reception