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

His Majesty King Letsie III and Head of State,

The Right Honorable the Prime Minister Matekane and Head of Government,

The Honorable President of The Senate,

Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,

His Lordship Chief Justice,

The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Majara and Leader of The House,

Honourable Ministers of His Majesty’s Government, especially

Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lejone and Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mofosi,

Honourable Members of Both Houses of Parliament,

All Government Officials here Present,

Distinguished Members of the Media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that we assemble on this day to officially celebrate the successful handover of the China-aid Maseru Agriculture Storage and Logistic Infrastructure Project. This project  stands as a new fruit of FOCAC, a new landmark in Maseru District, and a fresh milestone of friendship between China and Lesotho.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Food security is pivotal to a nation’s economic development, social stability and national security. The government of Lesotho has prioritized enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, committing to eliminating hunger, improving food systems and strengthening climate resilience, aiming to build a hunger-free, resilient and prosperous Lesotho. This aligns closely with China’s traditional philosophy that “Food is the first necessity of the people.” China’s arable land per capital is far below the global average, and its land quality faces numerous challenges, including declining soil fertility, erosion, and contamination. Despite these, over the past five years, China has consistently increased its food production capacity. In 2024, the total grain output exceeded 700 million metric tons. China, with only nine percent of the world’s arable land and six percent of its fresh water resources, has fed nearly one-fifth of the world's population.

How has China achieved this food security? Three core elements are highly instrumental here. First, the government’s prioritization. Chinese President Xi Jinping treats food security as a top state issue. He emphasized there must be no complacency whatsoever regarding food security. Second, policy support. China has enacted the Food Security Guarantee Law and, for many consecutive years, placed food security at the forefront of its annual No. 1 Central Document. Third, scientific and technological innovation support. China has widely applied new high-yield, high-quality varieties of rice, wheat, and soybean, alongside advanced technologies such as satellite remote sensing, the Internet of Things, and big data. Yield-increasing techniques like rational close planting and integrated water-fertilizer management have also been extensively promoted. All these efforts have laid a solid foundation for China’s food security and contributed to the global fight against hunger. Lesotho has favorable land resources, abundant human resources and distinctive climatic conditions. We stand ready to further deepen agricultural cooperation with Lesotho and jointly enhance food security.

Ladies and gentlemen,

For Lesotho, 2025 was a year of effectively addressing external headwinds and delivering impressive outcomes. Facing a range of external challenges including aid suspension, suppression and condescension, the government and people of Lesotho forged ahead in unity to overcome hardships, achieved political stability, economic growth and social progress, and displayed a national spirit of independence and perseverance. We deeply appreciated this remarkable accomplishment and hold it in high regard.

For both Lesotho and China, 2025 has additionally been a year when our solidarity and concerted efforts have yielded rich and substantial fruits of cooperation. The 148 sets of agricultural machinery handed over in October will advance Lesotho’s agricultural modernization. And we are glad to share that Mafeteng Phase Ⅱ (50MW) Solar Power Plant Project has achieved important progress. The private investment from China has already shown positive initial results. The Maseru Fire Station under construction will add a new safety barrier for Maseru. Right now, many workers from China and more local employees are collaborating on projects like the second phase of Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP-II) to upgrade Lesotho’s infrastructure and improve its people’s lives. This is the most real and vivid proof of the mutually beneficial friendship between China and Lesotho.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We still recall that when some regions of China suffered from earthquakes and floods, His Majesty King Letsie III and The Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane promptly conveyed condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping. We appreciate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations has made public statements reaffirming its commitment to one-China principle consecutively for four years, shown firm support on issues of China’s core interests and major concerns over Taiwan question, as well as the important concepts and initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, including building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Four Global Initiatives (the Global Development Initiatives, the Global Security Initiatives, the Global Civilization Initiatives and the Global Governance Initiatives). Here, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the government and people of Lesotho for their strong support and assistance to China.

Ladies and gentlemen,

At present, momentous changes of a magnitude not seen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace. A profound shift is taking place in the international balance of power. Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and hegemonism and power politics pose greater threats. The international economic and trade order is facing grave challenges, yet it also presents new opportunities. We firmly believe that, under the political guidance of the leaders of state of both countries, China and Lesotho will actively respond to the once-in-a-century changes in the world, stand side by side to pursue the “Chinese Dream” and the “Lesotho Dream”, deepen political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation in all areas, firmly uphold each other’s legitimate rights and interests in international and regional affairs, enrich our strategic partnership, and strive to be the paradigm of friendly cooperation between countries of different systems and different conditions

Thank you all! And I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.