Maseru — The Chinese Embassy in Lesotho on Monday hosted a high-level reception to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The event brought together local dignitaries and diplomats to honour the historic milestone and highlight deepening economic and cultural cooperation.

In his remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mr. Limpho Tau said, over 105 years, the Communist Party of China has guided the Chinese people through a profound transformation: from hardship to renewal, from poverty to broad-based development, from reconstruction at home to engagement with the world.

"The lifting of hundreds of millions of people out of poverty is one of the great development stories of our age. The story of that transformation is not only China's story. It has resonated across continents, including here in Africa and in Lesotho, where development, stability and the upliftment of our people are central aims shared by our leaders and communities. For a country like ours, the lesson is plain, development paths may differ, but dignity, sovereignty and people-centred progress are universal aspirations", he said.

He said Lesotho's political landscape has been shaped by parties and movements that have sought to represent the aspirations of Basotho. He cited that the Basotho Congress Party, Lesotho Congress for Democracy, and the Revolution for Prosperity each in its own time and manner has carried forward commitments to social progress, democratic participation and the economic wellbeing of the citizens. He said these efforts reflect a common purpose: to improve livelihoods, expand opportunity and safeguard national dignity.

"As we look ahead, Lesotho's political parties and leaders across the spectrum have a responsibility to harness partnerships like these responsibly and transparently. Whether guided by the traditions of the Basotho Congress Party, the legacy of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy, or the objectives of the Revolution for Prosperity, our collective task is the same: to ensure that foreign partnerships translate into locally-owned development, strengthen institutions and create jobs and skills for our young people", he said.

Moreover, he indicated that Lesotho and China are bound by mutual respect, equality and solidarity. He said, "We differ in size, in geography, in levels of development but we are united by what matters most: a commitment to sovereignty, non-interference, mutual benefit and development that reaches ordinary people".

He reaffirmed Lesotho's firm commitment, without reservation, to the One-China Principle saying it is the bedrock of their relations. He said they also recognize the global contribution of President Xi Jinping's four major initiatives: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative saying these initiatives provide a framework for cooperation that is rooted in development, peace, mutual respect and more inclusive global governance.

He emphasized that Lesotho is proud to have joined and supported these initiatives, because they reflect values that matter deeply to their nation: the pursuit of sustainable development, the preservation of peace, the promotion of dialogue among civilizations and the call for a fairer international system. Through this alignment, Lesotho strengthens its voice in global affairs while reinforcing its friendship with China.

On the other hand, Ambassador Yang Xiaokun said the Party firmly believes that the strength of a powerful political party or a powerful country lies in its open mind, broad vision and great sense of responsibility, rather than its size and muscle. It also believes that peace, cooperation, dialogue and openness, rather than war, hegemony, confrontation and seclusion, represent the correct and only path to a better future for humanity.

He said China and Lesotho enjoy excellent bilateral relations saying the two countries maintain frequent exchanges between their leaders where they also regularly exchange congratulatory messages on national occasions, reflecting the closeness of their friendship.

"We have firmly supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns. Earlier this year, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, paid a successful and historic visit to Lesotho", he said.

He indicated that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating the China–Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level and to making it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems.

He explained that inter-party relations constitute an important component of China-Lesotho relations. He said, "guided by the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, the Communist Party of China has successively established friendly relations with three major political parties in Lesotho: the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), the Democratic Congress (DC) and the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), maintaining close exchanges through delegation visits, political dialogue, governance seminars and training programs in China".

He said these exchanges have helped strengthen political mutual trust, deepen mutual understanding and support practical cooperation between the two countries.

Looking to the future, Ambassador Yang affirmed that China is ready to work hand in hand with Lesotho to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, jointly explore development paths suited to their respective national conditions and bring greater benefits to their people.

"On the new journey, China, taking firm steps towards the right direction, will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, carry forward the common values of humanity, promote the building of a new type of international relations, work to deliver on the four major global initiatives, join hands with all countries in building a community with a shared future for humanity and jointly open up more promising prospects for humanity", he said.

Meanwhile since the bilateral relations between Lesotho and China over 30 years ago, has resulted in among others Parliament Building in which democracy deliberates. The State House, the Maseru District Hospital and the new Maseru Fire Station. The Mpiti–Sehlabathebe Road, which has opened the mountain communities to trade, to tourism and to one another. And since 1997, successive Chinese Medical Teams, now into their 20th rotation, who have served Basotho patients with a devotion.

Image by ls.china-embassy