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

His Majesty King Letsie III,

The Right Honorable Prime Minister,

Honorable President of the Senate,

Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,

His Lordship the Chief Justice,

Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,

Honorable Cabinet Ministers,

Mr. Rats'iu Majara, PS from Ministry of Education and Training,

Distinguished guests,

Dear scholarship recipients and trainees,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is a great pleasure to join you today and to see young Basotho friends preparing to travel to China for study or having returned from training programs in China. I was encouraged to hear the brief remarks by the student representative just now. I would like to extend my warm congratulations to all of you, and my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Finance and Planning that have supported China-Lesotho cooperation in education and human resource development.

In China, we have a saying: “It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to educate people.” Behind this simple saying is a profound understanding: education is a long-term investment in people and in the future of a country. It is not only about transmitting knowledge and skills, but also about cultivating character, broadening horizons, developing creativity and preparing young people to shoulder responsibility for society and for their country.This is why education has always occupied an important place in China’s development. President Xi Jinping has recently emphasized that President Xi Jinping has stressed that “education is the foundation for building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.” He has also emphasized that education, science and technology, and talent constitute the foundational and strategic support for Chinese modernization. China’s own experience demonstrates the importance of this approach. Over the past decades, we advance the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. China has made remarkable progress in education, science and technology, infrastructure and people’s living standards. Behind these achievements is not only investment in physical infrastructure, but also sustained investment in people — in education, skills, knowledge and innovation.

When you go to China, I hope you will look beyond the classroom and ask not only what China has achieved, but how China has achieved it. You will see modern cities and advanced technologies, but you will also see the importance China attaches on education, hard working, long-term planning, innovation and the development of human capabilities. This year also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. I encourage you to take the opportunity to learn more about China’s history and development, and to think for yourselves about how China has managed to transform itself from a poor and weak country into the world’s second-largest economy and a major force in science, technology and innovation. There is no single model of modernization, and every country must choose a path suited to its own conditions. But there are certainly experiences worth studying, reflecting upon and adapting.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China’s willingness to share its development experience and opportunities with Africa is closely connected with our broader vision for China-Africa relations. China advocates building a community with a shared future for humanity and has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. These initiatives reflect China’s belief that development should be placed at the center, that peace and security are indispensable for development, that different civilizations should respect and learn from one another, and that developing countries should have a greater voice in global governance.

Education is an especially important part of this vision, because development ultimately depends on people. At the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, China announced a series of measures to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in education, vocational training and talent development, including 60,000 training opportunities for Africa, support for vocational education, science, technology and digital education. These are not simply numbers or programs. They reflect a broader conviction that the most lasting way to strengthen China-Africa relations is to bring our peoples closer together, especially our young people.

This is precisely what we have been doing together with Lesotho for many years. Education and human resource development have always been an important part of China-Lesotho cooperation. Through Chinese Government Scholarships, bilateral and multilateral training programs, vocational education, Chinese language education and other exchanges, thousands of Basotho have had the opportunity to study, train and visit China. Over the past three years alone, a total of 1,689 Basotho youth have participated, either online or in person, in study and training programs in China. So far this year, more than 250 Basotho have already travelled to China or are set to do so for study and training. Our cooperation is also not confined to sending people to China. The Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at the National University of Lesotho and the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College are helping more Basotho acquire Chinese language skills while gaining a better understanding of Chinese culture.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year gives these efforts an even more special meaning. 2026 has been designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, while Lesotho is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence. It is therefore a particularly meaningful year for us to strengthen exchanges  and deepen our strategic partnership.

Our political mutual trust continues to deepen. This year, we have also witnessed increasingly frequent high-level exchanges between Lesotho and China. After the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Lesotho in January, His Majesty King Letsie III, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, and senior members of the Cabinet have visited China on different occasions. These visits have strengthened political mutual trust and given fresh impetus to practical cooperation in a wide range of fields.

The growing political mutual trust is also being translated into concrete cooperation that brings tangible benefits to the people of Lesotho.Our action is expanding across infrastructure, health, agriculture, trade, and of course, education. With the fast development of AI, Lesotho’s participation as a founding member of the World AI Cooperation Organization demonstrates its willingness to embrace artificial intelligence and new technologies. President Xi Jinping always stresses role of education in supporting sci-tech, talent development. China is ready to continue sharing its experience and working with Lesotho to explore these new opportunities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

To the young Basotho who are starting your trip to China very soon, you are not simply recipients of scholarships or training opportunities. You are part of the human foundation of the China-Lesotho Strategic Partnership. The journey you are about to begin is a personal journey, but it is also part of a much larger journey — the journey of China and Lesotho working together for development, friendship and a shared future. So I hope that when you arrive in China, you will study seriously and master your chosen fields, but also learn beyond your textbooks. When you return home, I hope you will bring back more than a degree, a certificate or a new professional skill. Bring back a broader vision, an open mind, confidence in your own country, and a deeper understanding of China. Use what you have learned to serve Lesotho, to create opportunities for others, and become bridges of friendship between our two peoples.

The future of Lesotho belongs to its young people. And I firmly believe that, with knowledge in your minds, responsibility in your hearts and the world in your eyes, you have a great deal to contribute, and a great deal to accomplish.

I wish you successful studies and training, and a memorable and rewarding experience in China.

Thank you.