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Speech at the First Lesotho-China Business Forum by Lai Bo, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Lesotho

2013-04-18 04:00
 (April 16, 2013, the Mahlakapese Bed and Breakfast, Leribe Hlotse, Lesotho)
 
 
Respected Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr. Mohlabi K. Tsekoa,
Respected Minister of Trade, Cooperatives and Marketing, Mr.Temeki T'solo,  
Respected Mrs. 'Makabelo Mosothoane, Minister of Education and Training,
Respected District Administrator, Mr. Mokhabelane Morahanye,
Respected Industrial and Business Representatives from Local and Chinese communities,
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
Bomme le bontate, Lumela!
 
First of all, on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Hu Dingxian who is now in China and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Lesotho, I wish to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations for the kind invitation and, extend our warm congratulations on the launch of the Lesotho-China Business Forum (first of its kind, I suppose)! Well, I would like to talk briefly about three topics: one, current political and economic situation in China; two, China's basic policy towards Africa, and three, China-Lesotho relations.
 
I. Current situation in China
 
The People's Republic of China, in the past 60-odd years since its founding in 1949 and particularly over 30 years after her reform and opening-up, has found a development path called socialism with Chinese characteristics. This path suits the national conditions of China so well that it has brought about unprecedented progress in her development. China has become the world's second largest economy, with her overall national power strengthened, her international status elevated and her people's lives markedly improved.
 
Last year saw the successful convening of the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which gave rise to a new central leadership with Mr. Xi jinping as the General Secretary. This March, Mr. Xi was elected President of the People's Republic of China. This Congress mapped out a new blueprint or an inspiring goal for China's future development, featuring "two centennials" and "two double growths". The former means that by 2020 when the CPC celebrate its one hundredth anniversary, China will be built into a moderately well-off country and by 2050 when the People's Republic turns 100 years old, China will be developed into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country. The latter suggests that by 2020, both the aggregate GDP and the Per Capita personal income will double as compared with those of 2010. This requires that the annual GDP growth rate must reach around 7% for the next eight years.
 
During these years leading up to the goal, CPC will take the Outlook on Scientific Development as its long-term guiding ideology, continue to deepen the reform and adhere to the win-win strategy of opening up, and implement fully the overall layout of "five-in-one", which refers to a holistic or coordinated approach to the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological endeavors. Thus, the Chinese people are now committed to this inspiring goal and for the glorious dream of national renewal.
 
At present, China's basic national conditions remain unchanged, with such a huge population of 1.3 billion people, a weak economic foundation and uneven development. Though ranked second in terms of the aggregate GDP, once divided by 1.3 billion, the per capita GDP dropped to around 90th place in the world. Some 128 million Chinese are still living under poverty line set by the UN. Therefore, China still has a long way to go and has to make strenuous efforts before all her people could lead a decent life.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, Bomme le bontate,
 
In 2012, the Chinese economy continued to move forward with a growth rate of 7.8%. The Chinese government has set the full-year growth target for 2013 at 7.5%. The current overall economic climate is stable and China's economic fundamentals are good, but given complicated internal and external environments, latent risks remain despite positive factors. The guideline is "make progress while ensuring stability"(稳中求进).
 
Premier Li Keqiang recently pointed out that the development of China is facing two unprecedented situations. First, it is unprecedented in human history for a big country with such a huge population to strive for modernization. Second, the difficulty China is facing in protecting the environment, save resources and achieve green development in the process of modernization and the attention China received from the international community are unprecedented. He called for greater courage and wisdom in pushing forward economic transformation and fostering an "upgraded version" of the economy. To foster that model, China should: boost the domestic demand; enhance support to enterprises to accelerate restructuring and ensure larger contribution of innovation to the economy; unleash job opportunities in the service sector and adopt measures to push green growth; rely on reforms to stimulate vigor and creativity within society; do away with improper policies and regulations that have fettered economic growth, as well as cut operational costs for enterprises to allow them to compete in a more fair market; accelerate transforming government functions and give market forces a greater role.
 
II. China's policy towards Africa
 
During his recent trip to some Africa countries, President Xi Jinping gave a succinct overview of China's Africa policy. He stressed that under new circumstances, China will intensify, not weaken, its efforts to expand relations with Africa. President Xi pointed out that China and Africa are linked together by a common destiny. History has repeatedly proved that when China develops well, Africa can develop smoothly; when Africa develops smoothly, China can develop better. At present, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. China-Africa relations are facing not only unprecedented opportunities, but also the tests of many new situations and new problems. No matter how the international situation changes, China will firmly adhere to the policy of staying friendly to Africa, always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of African countries, and strive to make greater contributions to peace and development in Africa.
 
President Xi declared solemnly and forcefully that China a steadfast defender of peace and stability in Africa. China firmly supports African countries to solve the regional issues on its own. China will actively participate in the mediation and settlement of hotspot issues in Africa. China encourages African countries to solve the problems through dialogue and consultation. China will always be a firm promoter of the prosperity and development in Africa. The Chinese government will take active measures to encourage Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Africa and continue to ask the Chinese enterprises to actively fulfill their social responsibilities. China will always be a staunch supporter of African unity. China is willing to deepen cooperation with the AU, sub-regional organizations in Africa, and New Partnership for Africa's Development to promote the African integration process. China will always be a firm supporter to promote Africa's equal participation in international affairs. China calls on the international community to play a constructive role for peace and development in Africa.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, Bomme le bontate,
 
President Xi also talked about the common dream between China and Africa. Let me quote,
"The over 1.3 billion Chinese people are working hard to realize the Chinese dream of great national renewal, and the over one billion African people are committed to the African dream of gaining strength from unity and achieving development and rejuvenation. The Chinese and African people should enhance unity, cooperation, mutual support and assistance so as to make our dreams come true. We should also work with the rest of the world to realize the dream of the world for enduring peace and common prosperity, and make new and even greater contribution to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind."(end quote)
 
III. China-Lesotho Relations
 
At present, China-Lesotho relations maintain a sound momentum for development. Last year witnessed continued good and stable relations between China and Lesotho with our joint efforts, despite the general election and change of government in Lesotho, which proved to be very smooth and successful. In 2014, we will be marking the 20th anniversary of the resumption of the diplomatic relations between our two countries.
 
Over the years, China-Lesotho relations, which are based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, have borne rich fruits for both sides. The two countries maintained high-level exchange of visits, which deepened mutual political trust and enhanced practical cooperation in various fields. In international affairs, China and Lesotho enjoyed good cooperation and coordination, sharing similar or identical views on many issues, rendering assistance to and support for each other. China highly appreciates Lesotho's valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests, particularly the Lesotho Government's position of adhering to the "One-China" policy in support of China's peaceful reunification. The people-to-people cultural and educational exchanges have become more frequent, promoting mutual understanding and friendship. Last year, China National Acrobatics Troupe visited Lesotho and impressed Basotho audiences with their spectacular performances; a group of pottery experts from Guangdong Province of China opened a training workshop in Lesotho, which was well-received and highly commended by Basotho artists. This July, we will probably have a college student volunteers' group coming to perform in Maseru to celebrate the Fiftieth Birthday of His Majesty King Letsie III. The Embassy is still working with the Lesotho side to make it happen.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, Bomme le bontate,
 
Let me say a few words about our trade and economic ties.
First, bilateral trade. Though still modest and much remains to be desired, the trade volume has increased rapidly during recent years. According to Chinese official statistics, in 2012, the trade volume reached almost US$100 million, an increase of 24% over the previous year and more than 86 times that of 1996, which was only about US$ 1 million. Since China has expanded its duty-free treatment to Lesotho up to products corresponding to 95% of the tariff line, we are expected to see more products from Lesotho on Chinese market in the coming years.
 
Second, investment. You may have noticed that the investment of Chinese companies in Lesotho has reached different fields and projects, ranging from construction of roads, bridges, water pipe-lines to building of industrial and commercial complex and manufacturing of construction materials. This investment brought in technical expertise, managerial skills and created more jobs for Basothos, thus contributing a lot to the socio-economic development of Lesotho. 

Third, development assistance. In Lesotho, for the past nearly 30 years, China as an important donor country to Lesotho, has done its share. China and Lesotho has signed many Economic and Technical Cooperation agreements, under which a series of projects in Lesotho have been funded with grants or soft loans or other assistance. You must be very familiar with these projects already accomplished: Manthabiseng National Convention Center, National Library & Archives Building, New Parliament Building, Two-phase National Telecommunications Network Expansion Project, the of land-use and physical planning technical cooperation project, Mushroom cultivation cooperation Phase I and II, just name a few. Some others are soon to be finished or just about to begin: the Radio and Television Network Expansion Project, the solar energy demonstration project, the China-Lesotho friendship school project, Mushrooms Project phase III and other projects.
 
Besides, China has sent agricultural experts to Lesotho, offered Basothos training and exchange programs or government scholarships to study in China, and provided emergency humanitarian aid of food and materials to Basotho people in the difficult days.

It is also noteworthy to mention that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of China sending her first medical team to Africa. Since 1997, China has dispatched 8 medical teams with a total of 103 Chinese doctors to work in Lesotho, first in Queen Elizabeth II Hospital then in Motabang Hospital here in Leribe. This September we will have the ninth Chinese Medical Team.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, Bomme le bontate,
 
The purpose of the Chinese Government for providing aid to and developed economic and technical cooperation with developing countries including Lesotho is aimed at strengthening their self-development capacity and improving its people's lives. Over the years, China has offered a dozen of aid projects among others, which markedly helped improve its infrastructures and alleviate its poverty. Some Western media have been attempting to accuse China of being neo-colonialists, exploiting resources from Africa. What China has been doing in Lesotho, a country which has not proved to be an oil- or gas- rich country is a good testimony to the groundless and fallacious argument.
 
This year, China has been working with the government and people of Lesotho, to further develop our friendly relations and cooperation. While having currently more than a dozen ongoing China-Aid projects in Lesotho in various fields, we have been discussing with relevant Ministries of Lesotho as how we could tailor new projects to the need of Lesotho under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). We believe through our joint efforts, the economic cooperation will play more important role in our bilateral relations and promote our common development.
 
Of course, our relations and cooperation are by no means perfect. It is only natural that new circumstances and new issues are bound to emerge as our cooperation deepens. There will always be some problems or challenges of this or that kind. Some can be attributed to the Chinese side, some to the Lesotho side, still others to both sides. For example, the still undesirable trade and investment environment and conditions and the sometimes fragile security situation, inefficiency or red tapes in handling travel procedures, illegal business conducts, the sale of expired food, etc. And, considerable number of problems derived from lack of understanding, cultural differences or language barriers. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Chinese Embassy has made great effort in this regard. For instance, we have advised that the Ministry of Trade and Industry formulate a booklet of business practice guidelines. We also have co-sponsored three several Joint security Meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by involving others stakeholders like Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry, NSS, LMPS and representatives of Chinese community and Chinese companies, in order to improve the security situation for Chinese enterprises and nationals in Lesotho, among others.
 
It should be noted that, many of the above-mentioned problems are those in the process of development and can be resolved through deeper cooperation and friendly consultation and with our joint efforts. We need to update our mutual knowledge and understanding of each other. We should properly handle any problem that may arise in a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, Bomme le bontate,
 
In China, we have a well-known saying, "千里之行,始于足下", which means that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the single first step."  I firmly believe that this forum will definitely serve as a very good beginning or very first step, by setting a useful platform to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation through frank and friendly exchange of views between Chinese companies and business people with their Basotho counterparts and thus playing a positive role for the further development of the economic and trade cooperation between China and Lesotho.
 
Last but not least, I wish to thank the Administration of the District of Leribe, Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly, Mr. Matete Nena, Director of Asia Pacific Affairs and his team for your great efforts in putting this forum together. I would also like to thank and salute our business friends, both Chinese and Basotho, who take enormous enthusiasm in attending this event.
 
To conclude, let me wish the forum a complete success!
 
Thank you. Kea leboha.