Distinguished guests,

Dear members of the Chinese community in Lesotho,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good evening!

It is a great pleasure to gather here this evening to enjoy the wonderful performance presented by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe.

This year holds special significance for both China and Lesotho. We celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and embark on a new journey under the 15th Five-Year Plan. Lesotho is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence. This year also marks the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. At this important historical juncture, the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe has travelled a long way to bring us the splendid art of traditional Chinese opera. This is not merely a cultural exchange; it is also a warm greeting from our motherland to the Chinese community in Lesotho, carrying the motherland’s deep affection, care and best wishes for Chinese nationals living overseas.

Dear compatriots,

Over the past 77 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people to remain confident and work hard from one generation to the next, achieving remarkable accomplishments that have attracted worldwide attention and will go down in history. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the Chinese people in ushering in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and embarking on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Today, China presents a thriving picture of modernization advancing across the board, high-quality economic and social development, people living and working in peace and contentment, and significantly enhanced international influence, appeal and capacity to shape the international agenda. The Chinese people are striding confidently toward a better future with a strong sense of self-reliance and self-strengthening, while the Chinese nation is moving with unstoppable determination toward its great rejuvenation.

The prosperity and development of our motherland are a source of pride for every Chinese person and the strongest support for overseas Chinese. Wherever you may be, the motherland remains the deepest concern of your hearts and a source of strength on which you can rely.

Dear compatriots,

The Party and the state have always attached great importance to overseas Chinese affairs and cared deeply about the well-being and safety of Chinese nationals living abroad. On September 28, Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stressed at a National Day reception jointly hosted by six departments, including the General Office of the CPPCC National Committee and the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee: “We will fully implement the Party’s policies on overseas Chinese affairs, unite and guide overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese and their relatives to bring their unique strengths into play and make greater contributions to promoting the country’s economic and social development, carrying forward and promoting Chinese culture, advancing national reunification, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.” These remarks fully demonstrate the great importance the Party and the state attach to overseas Chinese and their high expectations for them.

The Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe has made a special trip to Lesotho to bring fine traditional Chinese culture closer to you, allowing you to enjoy a wonderful performance from the motherland while living far from home and to experience familiar accents and a sense of home. This cultural greeting, travelling across mountains and seas, reflects the motherland’s continued care and affection for overseas Chinese and serves as an encouragement and inspiration to you all. I hope tonight’s performance will allow you to experience both the unique charm of Chinese culture and the warmth of the motherland, further strengthening your national pride and attachment to your homeland.

Dear compatriots,

The Embassy has always upheld the principle of people-centered diplomacy and conscientiously implemented the Party and state policies on overseas Chinese affairs. Since taking up my post, I have visited different parts of Lesotho and met with members of the Chinese community to learn about your work and daily lives. I have gained a deep appreciation of the hardships and challenges you face as you build your lives and careers far from home.

The Embassy will always take the fundamental interests of the Chinese community in Lesotho as the starting point and ultimate goal of its work on overseas Chinese affairs. We will provide consular protection and assistance with care and commitment, listen to your concerns, respond to your needs, and do our utmost to deliver practical help and solve problems. Whatever difficulties you may encounter, the Embassy will make every effort to assist you and remain a strong support for you in Lesotho. The Embassy will always be your warm home away from home. You are welcome to visit us often, and we welcome your valuable comments and suggestions on our work.

Dear compatriots,

For many years, the Chinese community in Lesotho has put down roots here and worked diligently in your respective fields, demonstrating the Chinese nation’s fine qualities of diligence, perseverance and resilience. You have supported one another, actively integrated into local society, complied with local laws and regulations, respected local customs and traditions, and lived and worked in friendship with the Basotho people. You have made positive contributions to Lesotho’s economic and social development, to exchanges and cooperation between China and Lesotho in trade, culture, education and other fields, and to friendship between our two peoples. You have fully demonstrated the spirit of Chinese people living overseas in the new era. I would like to express my profound respect and sincere gratitude to you all.

In my discussions with the various Chinese community associations, I have been deeply touched by the trust you place in them, and I fully recognize the important role these associations play in bringing the community together and strengthening solidarity among overseas Chinese.

I would like to take this opportunity to share a few expectations.

I hope the Chinese community associations will continue to play a leading role, bringing together and guiding the Chinese community in Lesotho to seize the favorable opportunities arising from the development of the China–Lesotho strategic partnership, support one another, strive for progress and achieve further success. I hope all members of the Chinese community will continue to serve as a bridge linking our two countries, carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture, tell China’s story and the story of China–Lesotho friendship well, and be witnesses to, participants in and builders of China–Lesotho friendship. I hope Taiwan compatriots in Lesotho will deepen their attachment to the motherland, actively participate in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and contribute together to advancing national reunification and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. I also hope all Chinese and Taiwan compatriots in Lesotho will integrate their personal development into the broader national development agenda, demonstrate the responsibility and commitment of overseas Chinese in the new era as China advances Chinese modernization, and contribute further wisdom and strength to China–Lesotho friendship and cooperation.

Dear compatriots,

Although this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, the beautiful symbolism of the full moon and family reunion, along with longing for loved ones and attachment to one’s hometown, remains close to the hearts of Chinese people living overseas. Tonight, we gather together to enjoy an artistic performance from our motherland and feel the warmth of reunion through familiar accents and a sense of home. On this occasion, I would like to extend my belated Mid-Autumn Festival greetings to the Chinese community in Lesotho. I wish you good health, success in your careers, happiness in your families and well-being for all your loved ones. May your life in Lesotho be safe, smooth and filled with good fortune!

Let us work hand in hand to take the China–Lesotho strategic partnership to new heights.

Finally, I wish tonight’s performance every success!

I wish all our guests and members of the Chinese community good health, success in your work and happiness in your families.

Thank you!