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

His Majesty King Letsie III,

The Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane,

Honorable President of the Senate,

Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,

His Lordship the Chief Justice,

Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,

Honorable Ministers in His Majesty’s cabinet,

Friends from Media Houses,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy. I’m pleased to share with our friends from media some reflections on two important historical occasions: the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations, and Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration. Both occasions are commemorated on October 25, and are closely connected by a common theme: the restoration and defence of China’s sovereignty and legitimate rights, and respect for the outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war international order. They remind us that history is not merely a record of the past. It continues to shape international relations today and offers important lessons for safeguarding peace, justice and the legitimate rights of all nations. Today, I would like to share with you the historical significance of these occasions, China’s commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism, and the importance of upholding the one-China principle in China-Lesotho relations. 

Let me begin with the restoration of New China’s lawful seat in the United Nations.

The United Nations was founded in 1945, with China as a founding member and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. In 1949, the government of the People's Republic of China was established, replacing the government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was a change of government without changing China as a subject of international law. China’s sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries did not change. Rightfully, the government of the People’s Republic of China fully enjoys and exercises China's sovereignty, including that over Taiwan.

Within the UN system, it was only natural for the government of the People's Republic of China to appoint representatives to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly and its related organs, expelling representatives of the Taiwan authorities that could no longer represent the Chinese people. However, due to interference from the government of the United States, China’s UN seat was illegally occupied by the authorities in Taiwan for a long time.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people engaged in a resolute struggle to restore their legitimate seat at the UN, garnering increasing support from a growing number of peace-loving and justice-upholding nations.

In the 1960s, with the rise of China’s international status and the continuous entry of many newly independent countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America into the UN, the US found it increasingly difficult to obstruct the People’s Republic of China from reclaiming its rightful seat at the UN.

As the saying goes: “A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little.” On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority: 76 votes for, 35 against and 17 abstentions. The resolution decided to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, recognize the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representatives of China at the UN, and return the representation and seat of all of China, including Taiwan, to the government of the People's Republic of China.The restoration of New China’s lawful seat in the United Nations was a momentous event for the world and the United Nations. It came as the result of joint efforts of all peace-loving countries that stood up for justice in the world. It marked the return of the Chinese people, or one-fourth of the world’s population, back to the UN stage. The importance was significant and far-reaching for both China and the wider world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the U.N. cause.

Amid international turbulence and transformation, China holds its banner high. President Xi Jinping put forward the important vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives, which quickly gained widespread international support.

Amid frequent global conflicts, China promotes peace talks. We practice the Chinese way of resolving hotspot issues, including initiating the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis at the U.N. platform, constantly contributing our wisdom and efforts to maintaining world peace. 

Amid global development impasse, China empowers and enhances. The Global Development Initiative has mobilized over US$23 billion of funds, supported over 1,800 cooperation projects, delivered over 10,000 capacity building programs for developing countries, and trained over 200,000 professionals in different fields, giving a strong boost to the development and vitalization of the Global South. China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.Lesotho is among the countries that stand to benefit.

Amid major public crises, China races to help. In 2015, China provided full support for three West African countries in fighting Ebola. We are now ready to assist, to the best of our ability, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in the recent Ebola outbreak. Chinese medical teams are on the ground fighting the disease shoulder to shoulder with African brothers.

When multilateralism runs into headwinds, China steps up to its responsibility. We have earnestly fulfilled our financial obligations as the second largest contributor to the U.N. budget, set up and made good use of the China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and initiated the International Organization for Mediation and the World Data Organization. China has also taken the initiative to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, to promote international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence and has actively bid to host the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Secretariat. In doing so, we are building pillars for multilateralism through concrete actions. I am particularly pleased that Lesotho has been an active participant in these efforts. In July this year, Lesotho signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in Shanghai and became one of its founding members. Last month, Lesotho also became a founding member of the International Alliance against Telecom and Cyber Fraud. These are encouraging examples of China and Lesotho working together through multilateral platforms to address emerging challenges and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

All these efforts reflect China’s firm belief that international affairs should be addressed through consultation among countries, that the legitimate interests of all nations should be respected, and that the international system should be governed by commonly agreed rules rather than the will of a few powerful countries.

At the heart of this commitment lies respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. These principles are also fundamental to understanding the significance of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the question of Taiwan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

October 25 is not only the anniversary of the restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat, but also the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration. This is what I am going to brief you on today.

Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times. The history in China, which encompasses 10,000 years of culture and more than 5,000 years of civilization, records that our ancestors moved to Taiwan to live and thrive; that our compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait jointly resisted foreign aggression and regained Taiwan; and that the compatriots from both sides are working together for national rejuvenation.

Due to the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the government of the Qing Dynasty was forced to cede the island of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. Taiwan was occupied by foreign forces for half a century. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that the Chinese territory stolen by Japan, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to China.

On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, and pledged to faithfully fulfill the obligations enshrined in the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation.

On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced that it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and the ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point forward, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect. Taiwan does not have any other international legal status apart from being a part of China.

Taiwan’s restoration is an important outcome of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, a piece of irrefutable evidence that China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and a key part of the fact that Taiwan is part of China supported by both history and law.

October 25 is designated as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration and commemorative activities in various forms are organized on this day, according to the decision adopted on October 24, 2025 at the 18th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress. The designation shows the firm stance of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to uphold the one-China principle and defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the shared aspiration of Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad, including our Taiwan compatriots, and the firm resolve of the Communist Party of China in pursuing the historic mission and realizing China’s complete reunification.

The restoration of Taiwan is an important part of the outcomes of WWII victory and post-war international order. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus in the international community and a basic norm in international relations. The creation of the commemoration day will greatly cement the international consensus that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. We hope countries in the world will stay committed to the one-China principle, promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, firmly uphold the outcomes of the victory of World War II, and support the just cause of the Chinese people to oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and achieve complete reunification.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Adherence to the one-China principle is the essential political foundation for the sound and steady development of China-Lesotho relations. China highly appreciates the long-standing and firm commitment of the Lesotho Government, and people from all sectors to the one-China principle, and their reaffirmation of this position through statements and other official channels. In the Joint Communiqué issued by the two governments in January this year, the Lesotho side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and recognition that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Lesotho resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge to its authority. Such firm commitment is also a vivid reflection of the ever-deepening political mutual trust between our two countries. This clear and principled position reflects the deep political mutual trust between our two countries and our shared commitment to respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.

Last month, Honourable Foreign Minister Limpho Tau publicly reiterated to the media that Lesotho resolutely opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form and firmly supports China’s efforts to achieve national reunification. He further emphasised that adherence to the one-China principle is not merely a position of the Government, but a principle that should be respected and upheld by all sectors of Lesotho society, including the media, business community, academia and every Mosotho.

I highly appreciate Minister Tau's clear and unequivocal statement. It sends an important message that the one-China principle is not only a diplomatic commitment between our two governments, but also a position that should be properly understood and respected throughout society.

In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to call upon our friends from the media to take this commitment seriously and reflect it consistently in your professional work.

The media have an important responsibility to inform the public accurately and responsibly, particularly on matters concerning national sovereignty, territorial integrity and international relations. We therefore expect media houses in Lesotho to strictly observe the one-China principle in their reporting, commentary, interviews and other public communications.In particular, media houses should not refer to China’s Taiwan region as a “country”, provide a platform for “Taiwan independence” separatist rhetoric, or engage in any reporting or public communication that violates the one-China principle. We expect our friends from the media to respect the clear and consistent position of the Government of Lesotho and refrain from any actions that undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This is a matter of principle. Respect for the one-China principle is essential to the political foundation of China-Lesotho relations, and we trust that our media friends will recognise the importance of safeguarding that foundation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The media play an important role in helping the people of Lesotho better understand China and in bringing our two countries closer together. I appreciate your efforts in covering China’s development, foreign policy and practical cooperation with Lesotho. I hope you will continue to provide accurate and responsible reporting, uphold the one-China principle, and contribute to the enduring friendship between our two countries.

The Chinese Embassy will continue to support your work, share timely information and facilitate more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation. I look forward to working closely with you to tell more stories of China-Lesotho friendship and cooperation.

Thank you.