On 1 April, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun was interviewed by Lesotho Television (LTV) on the handover of the Chinese medical team to Lesotho. He introduced the spirit of the Chinese medical team, the achievements of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the friendly cooperation between China and Lesotho. The interview transcript is as follows:

LTV: Your Excellency, could you please share your thoughts on the handover of the medical teams and your expectations for the 19th medical team that has just arrived in Lesotho?

Ambassador Yang: Thanks for your question. Today, we are biding farewell to the 18th Chinese medical team and welcoming the 19th one. That means it is not the first time for China to dispatch medical teams to Lesotho. Actually, the history of Chinese medical teams to Lesotho goes back to the year of 1997. The Chinese government has sent 19 medical teams to Lesotho, totally 198 doctors and supporting staff since then. Over the past 28 years, no matter how the international landscape has changed, China has continuously dispatched medical teams to Lesotho without any suspension. I also would like to express my gratitude to the Lesotho government and people for their supports to the Chinese medical teams during the 28 years.

The arrival of the 19th team is not only a continuation of China's 28-year-long tradition but also an important measure to implement the China-Lesotho strategic partnership and the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Over the past 28 years, Chinese medical teams,including the 18th one,have provided medical services to people of Lesotho. I heard many touching stories and kind words about them. The captain of the 18th team will brief us at the reception. I suggest you to listen to his briefing as an example of all Chinese medical teams, which include all the Chinese medical teams to Lesotho in the past 28 years as well as the 58 Chinese medical teams that China has sent to the world, including Africa. What I would like to share now is the spirit of Chinese medical teams. That is "fearlessness of hardship, willingness to sacrifice, helpfulness to patients, boundlessness of love". I want to express my appreciations of that spirit practicing by the 18th team. And I hope the 19th team will perform the spirit as well.

The 18th and 19th team are doing handover at the moment, and they are jointly creating history in Lesotho’s health sector. The 18th team completed the relocation from the Leribe Motebang Hospital to the Maseru District Hospital and also provided professional advice during the construction of the Maseru District Hospital. The 19th team will use the brand-new facilities in the Maseru District Hospital, especially assisting in promoting the China-Lesotho Pairing-up Medical Aid Project and building the first ICU(intensive care unit) in a public hospital in Lesotho. This mission makes the handover even more meaningful.

LTV:Your Excellency, people from across the Lesotho are looking forward to the implementation of the follow-up actions of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. What is your comments of the practical cooperation between China and Lesotho in various fields?

Ambassador Yang: For this important question, I have so many words to share. First, China-Lesotho cooperation has always adhered to the people-centered philosophy, which is also the fundamental governance philosophy of the Communist Party of China. The food, medical and other assistance provided by China to Lesotho are to meet the most urgent and practical needs of the Basotho people. The roads and bridges built by China in Lesotho serve the economic development and improvement of Basotho people's livelihood. Various scholarships and training opportunities provided by China to Lesotho are aimed at helping Lesotho cultivate talents and improve its capabilities of independent and sustainable development.

Second, China-Lesotho cooperation is based on friendly consultation. China never imposes its own will on others, but take full account of the local situation, respects others’ political system and customs, and determines cooperation projects based on real needs. Not only in the medical field, China and Lesotho have adhered to the principle of friendly consultation in cooperation in infrastructure construction, renewable energy, agriculture and other fields, setting an example of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation between friendly countries.

Third, China-Lesotho cooperation is consistent, reliable and predictable. As I mentioned above, the Chinese medical teams have been working in Lesotho for 28 years without any suspension. Over the past 30 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations, China-Lesotho cooperation in various fields has been continuously expanded and deepened, and the two countries have become good friends and partners who can trust and rely on each other. In the future, China will continue to truly deliver for Basotho people and jointly formulate predictable development plans.This will never be interfered by any external forces, no matter how the international situation may evolve.

Fourth, China-Lesotho cooperation is a concrete manifestation of the two countries joining hands to advance modernization. The solar panels, critical care facilities and all other equipments from China to Lesotho are state-of-the-art. I hope with all these latest achievements of science and technology,we will help Basotho people catch up with the pace of modernization.

Fifth, China-Lesotho cooperation has various forms, including grant aid projects, preferential loan projects and projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises. And it covers a wide range of fields, including medical care, infrastructure construction, clean energy, agriculture, animal husbandry, and the list can be continued.

Sixth, China and Lesotho have always shared mutual support. China supports Lesotho in exploring a development path that suits its own national conditions. Lesotho also firmly support China on the international stage. Our mutual support is part of the unity and solidarity of the "Global South". I believe that as long as we continue to work together, we will surely be able to build the China-Lesotho strategic partnership into a good example for all countries in the world to jointly create a community of shared future for mankind!