Your Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess,
Ntate PS of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations,
Mme PS of Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture,
Distinguished Officials from the Two Ministries,
House of Media,
Young Friends,

Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Chinese Embassy this evening and to join you at this reception marking the launch of the China–Africa People-to-People Exchange Year in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Your presence—representing the Royal Family, the Government, the youth and the media—is a vivid reflection of the breadth and vitality of China–Lesotho friendship.

There is a saying in China: Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that the foundation and lifeline of China–Africa relations lie with the people, and that our cooperation should be more people-centered. It was precisely in this spirit that, at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, China and African countries jointly agreed to designate 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Last month, the launching ceremony of the 2026 ChinaAfrica Year of PeopletoPeople Exchanges was held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the event, and read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, witnessed by African representatives to the African Union, including Lesotho. Today’s reception here in Maseru is therefore not just a ceremonial occasion—it is a concrete step in bringing that shared consensus from Addis Ababa to Lesotho, from vision to action.

In his congratulatory letter, President Xi noted that exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are an inexhaustible driving force for human progress, world peace and development. He pointed out that China and Africa, as two great civilizations, have enriched each other over thousands of years and that this deep cultural affinity constitutes the historical and intellectual source of China–Africa friendship. President Xi expressed the hope that both sides would seize the People-to-People Exchange Year as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning among civilizations, expand exchanges—especially among the youth—deepen governance experience sharing, and jointly advance modernization.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his remarks at the launching ceremony, recalled that the ancient Silk Road and the voyages of Zheng He first connected our peoples, while our shared struggles for national liberation and independence in modern times forged a brotherly bond. Under the strategic guidance of leaders on both sides, China–Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges have flourished, yielding tangible and inspiring results. In 2026 alone, nearly 600 activities will be held across education, youth, culture, tourism, media and public welfare, injecting fresh momentum into the building of an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Dear Friends,

Against this broader China–Africa backdrop, China–Lesotho people-to-people exchanges stand out for their warmth, sincerity and human stories. Many of these stories are embodied in our young people.

Your Royal Highness, Prince Sessio, your personal experience is a vivid illustration of this friendship. Nearly forty years ago, you studied in China as a young student, experiencing Chinese society firsthand and building friendships that have endured over decades. Two years ago, you returned to China with Her Royal Highness the Princess, revisiting your alma mater and retracing those memories together. This touching story has become a much-told example of how educational exchange builds lifelong bonds and serves as a bridge between nations.

As we met him moments ago;last year, a young Basotho photographer, Mapefane, represented Lesotho at the China–Africa Youth Festival in China. Traveling across Chinese cities, he engaged with young people from China and other African countries, leaving the footprints of Basotho on Chinese soil. Through his lens, he told the story of Lesotho to the Chinese public. Today, we are especially pleased to award him the first prize of the 2nd “Youth Creations on Shared Prosperity” Contest, jointly organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. His journey—from China–Africa youth exchanges to today’s award ceremony—perfectly illustrates how people-to-people exchanges can inspire creativity, understanding and shared aspirations.

Another inspiring example is Tumelo Rabolinyane, a 15-year-old Basotho student who traveled to China to participate in the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition, focusing on robotics and artificial intelligence. As the youngest competitor, he won awards and gained hands-on experience. His story shows that people-to-people exchanges are not only about culture and friendship, but also about empowering the next generation with skills, confidence and opportunities.

These individual stories are supported by long-term institutional cooperation. Every year, China provides around 400 to 500 scholarships and training opportunities for Lesotho. The Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at the National University of Lesotho and the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College International School continue to nurture a growing number of Basotho talents proficient in Chinese. They are learning new knowledge, building bridges between cultures, and writing new chapters of China–Lesotho friendship through their own life journeys.

Medical cooperation remains another cornerstone of our people-to-people ties. To date, China has dispatched nineteen batches of medical teams to Lesotho, with the twentieth batch arriving soon. Chinese doctors have provided professional services in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and traditional Chinese medicine, while working hand in hand with local medical staff and contributing to capacity building in Lesotho’s healthcare system.

Beyond education and healthcare, people-to-people exchanges are also taking root at the community level. Our Embassy has worked to make exchanges more inclusive and closer to everyday life, by visiting all 10 districts, schools, villages and local communities, as well as active participation in cultural and public welfare activities.

Dear Friends,

People-to-people exchanges do not exist in isolation; they are closely linked to a country’s development philosophy and governance vision. China’s emphasis on people-centered exchanges reflects our broader commitment to people-centered development. At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, China once again underscored the principle of putting the people first and continuously improving people’s well-being through development. Looking ahead to the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan period, China will focus on high-quality development driven by innovation, green transformation and the real economy, while ensuring that development delivers tangible benefits to ordinary people.In this process, we firmly uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, embracing the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. We actively and steadily advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, strive to enhance the diversity, stability, and sustainability of ecosystems, and take the lead in exploring a path of high-quality development that balances economic growth with ecological protection. This approach not only improves the well—being of the Chinese people, but also contributes China’s experience and solutions to global ecological governance and the building of a clean and beautiful world.

Equally important is the focus on social well-being. Employment, education, healthcare, social security, and elderly care remain central priorities. By narrowing regional disparities and promoting equitable access to public services, China ensures that modernization benefits everyone. This combination of people-centered development, ecological awareness, and social inclusiveness not only strengthens China’s own social vitality and long-term stability, but also lays a solid and sustainable foundation for deepening people-to-people exchanges with African countries, including Lesotho.

It is in this context that today’s launch of the China—Africa People-to-People Exchange Year in Lesotho should be understood as a practical embodiment of a shared development philosophy and a shared future vision.

Dear Friends,

This year is also particularly meaningful as we mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, and the 60th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence. China has long adhered to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and mutual benefit in its relations with Africa. Last month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi once again chose Africa as the destination of his first overseas visit of the year, continuing a tradition China has upheld for 36 consecutive years. His visit to Lesotho sent a clear and strong message: China values its friendship with Lesotho, and China—Africa solidarity remains firm and enduring. When African brothers and sisters are in need, China will always be the first friend to stand by their side.

Dear friends,

As President Xi Jinping has noted, state-to-state relations are rooted in close bonds between the peoples. Looking ahead, the China–Africa People-to-People Exchange Year offers broad space for cooperation. We look forward to working closely with our Basotho partners to expand youth exchanges, increase scholarships and training opportunities, promote mutual visits by artistic and cultural groups, strengthen media and academic exchanges,and encourage more grassroots and community-level cooperation. Let us take the launch of the China–Africa People-to-People Exchange Year as a new starting point, work together with sincerity and creativity, and ensure that the friendship between China and Lesotho, and between China and Africa, continues to flourish, generation after generation.

Thank you.