On 13 October 2017, Mr. Song Changqing, the Charge d'affaires and Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Lesotho, held a Reception for seeing-off and welcoming the Chinese Medical Teams. More than 80 guests, including Minister of Health Hon. Nyapane Kaya, Principal Secretary of Ministry of Health Mr. Monaphathi Maraka,Principal Secretary of Ministry of Police and Public Safety Mr. Khothatso Ts'ooana, Director of Asia and Pacific Realm of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs Mr. Matete Nena and other officials of Lesotho Government, all members of the eleventh and the twelfth Chinese Medical Teams to Lesotho, Representatives of the Chinese Communities and companies in Lesotho and friends from media were present at the reception.

In his speech, Mr. Song indicated that, in 1996, as a friendly gesture from the Chinese side and an important embodiment of the cordial bilateral relations, the Protocol between the Government of China and the Government of Lesotho on Sending of a Chinese Medical Team to Work in Lesotho was signed. Over more than 20 years from then, this friendly gesture has never stopped. 11 batches of medical teams, more than 140 Chinese doctors have been sent to work in Lesotho, effectively promoting the friendly bilateral relation between China and Lesotho. Being a developing country itself, China shows a high level of support for the development of public health service in Lesotho. Sending Medical Team is a major but not the only form of assistance from the Chinese Government. Over the years efforts are also made by China to help Lesotho to develop human resources in the health sector. The two governments are now working closely to construct the Maseru District Hospital, which will be another landmark project of cooperation between the countries. Mr. Song spoke highly of the excellent works done by the eleventh team and welcomed the twelfth team, encouraging them to make new and bigger contributions to the bilateral friendship between the two countries.

Hon. Nyapane Kaya, Minister of Health, expressed great thanks to the eleventh Chinese medical teams for their dedication and their great contributions to improving the level of public health service in Lesotho and highlighted that the ministry of health will provide comprehensive support for the twelfth medical team. Hon. Nyapane Kaya also expressed his gratitude for Chinese Government's selfless assistance to Lesotho in the field of health sector and hoped the two countries could cooperate more in future.

Dr. Zou Ran, team leader of the eleventh Chinese Medical Team, presented a work report. In cooperation with the local medical staff of the Metebang Hospital, the Chinese Medical Team has performed over 800 surgeries and treated about 15,000 patient, rescuing thousands of Basotho from illness and deaths. Dr. Xu Xunhua, team leader of the twelfth Chinese Medical Team, committed themselves to carry forward the Chinese Medical Teams Spirit and make their due contribution to the promotion of the welfare of Basotho and the bilateral friendship.

The LTV, LENA and Sunday Express reported on the Reception.