First of all, please allow me to pay respects to:

His Majesty King Letsie III, head of state of the Kingdom of Lesotho,

Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane,

Honorable President of the Senate,

Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,

His Lordship Chief Justice,

Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,

Honorable Ministers,

Vice President Ambassador Zhou and his delegation

Friends from Young Basotho Professionals Forum,

Friends from academic institutions，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning! It is really my pleasure to welcome all of you to the Chinese Embassy. In particular, I warmly welcome the delegation from the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) led by Ambassador Zhou, the Vice President of the Institute. The institute is China’s first institute devoted to people-to-people diplomacy and has been playing a vital role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship among nations. Ambassador Zhou, I am sure that you and your delegation will enjoy your trip to Lesotho very much.

I extend my sincere congratulations on the resumption of the Young Basotho Professionals Forum, as well as my cordial welcome to your first seminar after resumption here in the Chinese Embassy. I’m glad to see the faculty members and students of the National University of Lesotho and other academic institutions join us. I thank Mr Phalatsi and other organizers of the seminar.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The moment I was briefed about this seminar, I immediately realized it would be a great idea. I have full confidence in its success, and I am willing to share with you how could I be so confident.

My confidence is deeply rooted in our excellent bilateral relationship. Over the years, China and Lesotho have always stood side by side on issues of core interests and major concerns of the other. Lesotho has steadfastly upheld the one-China principle and firmly supported China’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has always been a trustworthy partner, standing with Lesotho in its quest for development priorities. Last September, when the Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane visited Beijing and attended the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, we elevated our ties to a strategic partnership, making China the first country to establish such a partnership with Lesotho, ushering broader horizons for our shared future.

Today, the outcomes of the Beijing Summit are already bearing fruit in Lesotho—bringing tangible benefits to its people. Our bilateral relationship has grown stronger and stronger over time through cooperation.

My confidence stems from the shared visions and common values between China and African countries, including Lesotho. Our friendship rests not only on trust, but also on a profound bond of shared understanding. We supported each other in the struggle for independence and liberation and in the endeavor to defend national sovereignty, and have helped each other in exploring development paths and achieving national rejuvenation. Lesotho has voiced firm support for China’s major global initiatives—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and most recently,the Global Governance Initiative. These initiatives speak to the aspirations of developing countries, and resonate deeply with Lesotho’s pursuit of national growth, social stability, and the well-being of its people.

On the global stage, we understand and support each other, stand shoulder to shoulder in defending our common interests.We are committed to reforming and improving the current international system, making it more just, reasonable, and suitable for today’s realities. This unity of vision further elevates our partnership beyond the bilateral level—it makes China and Lesotho true companions in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

My confidence comes from the fruitful outcomes of our people-to-people and academic exchanges. True friendship lives in the connections among citizens, students, scholars, and communities. This year, China has offered around 400 government scholarships and training opportunities to young people from Lesotho. These opportunities are more than education—they are bridges of friendship, empowering a new generation of leaders and professionals.

Exchanges between scholars and think tanks are thriving, injecting new ideas into our cooperation and helping us explore development paths that suit our own realities. Such exchanges not only enrich China–Lesotho relations but also contribute to the broader efforts of the Global South to shape our future. As our cooperation deepens and our shared vision grows, gatherings like today’s seminar carry special significance. The theme — “Seeking Strength Through Unity, Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity” — underscores our shared approach to development — solidarity and self-reliance — and shared vision to the building of a community with a shared future for Humanity. Let me give the floor to Ambassador Zhou and all of you, and I wish you a fruitful exchange of ideas.

Thank you.