Ladies and gentlemen,

Lumela!(Hello) It is both a profound honour and a personal joy to stand here today at the State House for this special ceremony—the donation from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to the Government of Lesotho.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we are here to hand over 25 sets of laptops and 68 sets of electric wheelchairs. This donation can be traced back to the end of 2023, when H.E. Mr. Mu Hong, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Lesotho. I admit that taking one year and a half to deliver such a donation might be too long. But, what especially I want to share with you is that,regardless of how quickly a project is completed, we all respect the process with the same diligence. No matter big projects like the fire station and hospital,or small project like the donation we are handing over today, we all attach equally high importance. And whether or not the outcomes are visible to the public, we all approach them with the same level of seriousness and commitment. This project, like every one before and after it, reflects our consistent principles of and relentless dedication to China-Lesotho cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to commend the Lesotho government, under the visionary leadership of His Right Honorable Prime Minister, Sam Matekane, for its unwavering dedication to uplifting vulnerable communities. My personal involvement in charitable initiatives organized by His Right Honorable Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs has deeply touched me, revealing the profound spirit of King Moshoeshoe I— “I am because we are”—that defines Basotho society. Lesotho’s strides in economic independence and stability, social inclusiveness and cohesion, are testament to this ethos, and China is proud to stand by your side as a reliable friend.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last September, I have attended the handover and launching ceremonies of five China-Lesotho cooperation projects. Today’s event marks the sixth one. Coincidentally, it is also June, the sixth month of 2025, and, in Chinese culture, two 6 are associated with the concept of "smooth sailing in all aspects" (六六大顺). I take this as a auspicious sign, showing our cooperation will continue to thrive and bear abundant fruits.

Next week, Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and Honorable Minister of Trade will lead delegations to attend the Coordinators’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of of FOCAC and the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in China. These two events mark a new climax of China-Africa cooperation since the Beijing Summit and once again prove China’s firm commitment to stand with Africa countries to build an all-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.

The two Hon. Minister will be pleased to see that today’s project, along with several others, has been included in the list of phased implementation achievements of the Beijing Summit. We take great pride in this, as it not only showcases the concrete results of our cooperation, but also lays a solid foundation for the further implementation of FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In today’s world, the international situation is volatile, with various challenges and uncertainties emerging one after another. However, one thing is certain: China and Lesotho are sincere friends who stand by each other and can rely on each other. As the famous saying goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Just as King Moshoeshoe I once navigated complex alliances to safeguard his people’s sovereignty, China-Lesotho strategic partnership thrives on mutual respect and solidarity. Though the winter chill lingers outside, the warmth of our collaboration and the passion for shared development warm our hearts.

To conclude, I’d like to extend my heartfelt wishes:To Lesotho, may your nation prosper and your people thrive.To the China-Lesotho friendship, may it grow stronger with each passing day.To Honorable Minister Lejone, may your participation in the FOCAC meetings in Changsha be fruitful and successful.And to our cooperation, may it scale new heights, bringing more tangible benefits to our two nations.

Khotso, Pula, Nala! Kea leboha. (Thank you.)