Lumela (Hello in Sesotho)! Your Majesties the King and Queen, Honourable Ministers, distinguished guests, dear friends, all protocols observed,

It is my honor and privilege to be here at Thaba Bosiu—the heart of Basotho history, the mountain of unity and courage!

First of all, I would like to congratulate all participants of the walk—Le phetetse (Congratulations in Sesotho)! We have successfully completed the biggest hike in Africa. I would also like to express my appreciation to the organizers. It was truly a wonderful walk. I especially commend your responsible decision regarding the weather, which required both wisdom and courage. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, the Chinese community, enterprises, and the medical team for your support. We walked not only for ourselves but also for the friendship between the Chinese and Basotho people.

Dear friends,

After three days of walking, it is now time to share our experiences and feelings. What I would like to share with you is my understanding of the walk. This is a walk of historic significance. The founding father of the walk—Moshoeshoe I—created not only this nation but also the spirit of the walk, which has made the Basotho nation stronger and more resilient. This is a walk with cultural significance. Along the journey, we have not only witnessed the magnificent landscape of the Mountain Kingdom but also listened to traditional stories shared by local friends and sang traditional songs together. This is a walk of international influence. Hiking enthusiasts from different countries and continents gathered in Lesotho, making the Moshoeshoe Walk the largest hiking event in Africa. This is a walk of human excellence. Over the past three days, participants walked through mountains and grasslands in sun and rain, pushing both their physical and mental limits to reach the final destination together.

Dear friends,

This walk is special because this year Lesotho celebrates the 60th anniversary of independence—60 years of safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, 60 years of standing strong through challenges, 60 years of striving for development and prosperity, 60 years of the unyielding Basotho spirit—as solid and unshakable as Thaba Bosiu Mountain itself.

This walk is also special because this year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The Year was officially launched in Lesotho at the Chinese Embassy last month. With the participation of the Embassy and the Chinese community, the Moshoeshoe Walk is the first major event of the Year in Lesotho. With China’s largest news agency, Xinhua News Agency, reporting on site, the Moshoeshoe Walk and Lesotho will become better known to 1.4 billion Chinese people.

Dear friends,

Along the walk, we witnessed the stunning beauty of the Mountain Kingdom. We felt the rich history of this land and touched the deep roots of Basotho culture. Along the way, we also saw tangible results of China-Lesotho cooperation: the smooth roads we walked on, the dams that provide water for homes and farms, and the bridges connecting communities across valleys. They are symbols of friendship. This friendship has been further strengthened by the historic visit of H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, to the Kingdom of Lesotho. During the visit, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level, and a series of new practical cooperation projects were announced. By jointly implementing the outcomes of the visit, I am confident that the China-Lesotho friendship will continue to grow stronger.

Dear friends,

The three-day walk has come to an end, but our journey together is just beginning. This year, we will launch more exchanges in culture, youth, education, and other areas. We will bring our two peoples closer and promote cooperation to reach even greater heights. Together, we are building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Dear friends,

To conclude, we have completed this year’s walk and look forward to participating in the walk next year. Just as the Chinese community and the Basotho people walk together each year, I believe the bond between our nations will continue to deepen year by year. See you in 2027.

Kea leboha (Thank you in Sesotho)! Thank you!