Honorable Minister of Education and Training,
Honorable Former DPM Ntate Lehohla,
Esteemed government officials present,
Participants of the Contest,
Dear Students and Trainees,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy. 

Let me start by extending my congratulations on the successful conclusion of the contest and my appreciation for everyone’s participation. I’ve examined your works,and  just now listened to your words carefully. I agree with all of you that Chinese modernization is manifested in AI algorithms and 5G networks as Ntate Molefi’s personal experience in China,e-commerce that brings convenience to people with disabilities as explained by Ntate Thaabe,cutting-edge CT and ICU facilities that save people’s lives as mentioned by Dr. Tumisang, and many others. At the same time, I would like to say, as some participants, like Mme Palesa and Mme Motheba have touched in your works, Chinese modernization means much more.

H. E. Xi Jinping,the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, has made clear that Chinese modernization contains elements that are common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. So, what exactly Chinese modernization is?

Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population,with over 1.4 billion people,making it the largest-scale and also the most difficult one in human history. Chinese modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all, aiming at delivering a better life for the whole nation with no one left behind. Chinese modernization is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, pursuing the free and well-rounded development of people. Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, building a healthy ecosystem to ensure sustainable development. Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development, pursuing our own development and at the same time making contributions to world peace and development.

To my young friends gathering here today, I advise you to both observe Chinese modernization with your eyes and comprehend it with your mind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I agree with you that the achievements of Chinese modernization includes technological innovation as touched by Ntate Letsie, poverty alleviation as elaborated by Ntate Khereng, or green transition as mentioned by nearly half of the works. At the same time, I would like to share with you how these achievements could be made.

First and foremost,Chinese modernization could only be achieved with strong theoretical guidance. China has explored and found by itself a path to modernization through struggles and hard work over the past 100 years and more. In 2022, President Xi introduced the theory of Chinese modernization by theoretically summarizing China’s experience leading to modernization. The theory provides answers to major questions concerning Chinese modernization and serves as the fundamental principle and guide to action for us on the way forward.

Second,Chinese modernization could only be achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. The CPC’s leadership ensures that Chinese modernization steadily advances along the right track, staying true to the Party’s original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation. As president Xi emphasized, only by unwaveringly upholding the leadership of the Party can Chinese modernization enjoy a bright future and prosper; otherwise, it will deviate from its course, lose its soul, and even commit catastrophic errors.

Third, Chinese modernization could only be achieved through the unity and diligence of 1.4 billion Chinese people. The Chinese people are a people with a great spirit of struggle. Everything the Chinese people possess is the result of the wisdom and diligence of ourselves, and is infused with our great sacrifices. As long as the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people always carry forward this great spirit of struggle, we will surely be able to achieve the grand goal of realizing modernization and creating a better life for the people.

Looking back at the history of Chinese modernization,this year is a year of special significance. It marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This great victory was achieved under the guidance of Mao Zedong Thought,with the CPC leading the resilient Chinese people to fight back in unity, sacrificing 35 million lives. The victory brings the Chinese people tremendous courage to embark on a new journey and laying a solid spiritual foundation for the advancement of Chinese modernization.

Today, we can draw wisdom from the 100-plus-year-long experience of such victories that, Chinese modernization is a great journey guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, under the strong leadership of the CPC, and realized through the unity and diligence of Chinese people. Armed with such thought, experience and enlightenment, we are bound to achieve greater victory on the new era’s journey of modernization!

Ladies and gentlemen,

When I was examining your works, I could see that some of you witnessed Chinese modernization through your own eyes indeed, but most of you learned it through “artificial eyes”, either on TV or internet, or told by people around you. This vividly demonstrates that the world is a closely connected whole, which is elaborated by President Xi’s concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.

China firmly adhere to this concept and practice it with actions. As President Xi pointed out, China is not pursuing a modernization that benefits itself alone. We are willing to work with all countries to achieve a world modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. As the world’s largest developing country and a leading power of Global South, we are firmly committed to share our experience and provide any assistance we can to facilitate the modernization of developing countries to explore the development path that suits each country’s national condition. The public goods we have provided to the world, inter alia the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative,Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative have served as the drive and platform for our joint development over the years. Last September,the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future” was successfully held, charting the course for China and 53 African countries to walk shoulder to shoulder on the path to modernization.

However, the world remains complicated. When the global consensus is pursuing joint development, some Western powers, particularly one certain country, insist on going against the trend, disregarding global opposition on tariffs, launching trade wars,promoting decoupling and cutting chains. China strongly opposes such wrong practice of “building a small yard with high fences”. In the face of coercion and suppression, Chinese people have remained undaunted, risen to the challenges, and taken resolute countermeasures. With the confidence brought by the achievements of Chinese modernization and the firm belief in China’s development path, we have safeguarded our interests and have shouldered the responsibility of a pillar of global prosperity and stability.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, when we recall the achievements of Chinese modernization,I am very glad and proud to see that Chinese modernization is also benefiting the people of Lesotho. During the Beijing Summit, the bilateral relationship between China and Lesotho has been elevated to a strategic partnership. Since then, our two sides have worked together relentlessly to implement the ten partnership action plans, echo the urgent needs of Lesotho people and push forward the modernization of both countries through one and another practical cooperation projects, and I would like to name some of them: emergency food assistance of 25 million Maloti, NUL Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Maseru Fire Station and Fire Engine... The momentum of China and Lesotho forging ahead towards modernization is growing stronger and stronger, the pace is becoming more and more steady, and the future picture is getting more and more foreseeable.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we are also sharing the happiness of a number of young Basotho friends who are going to study in China shortly. President Xi emphasized that on the journey to Chinese modernization, youth act as “spearheads and vital forces”. On the journey of China and Lesotho jointly advancing modernization, young people play a crucial role. I would like to say a few words to the students and trainees present here today or not. Congratulation! Your chance to study in China is your valuable opportunity to engage deeply and immerse yourselves in understanding China’s development path and the principles of Chinese modernization. I hope you seize this opportunity, shoulder the responsibility of being the envoys of China-Lesotho friendship, bring back your deeper understanding of Chinese modernization to serve your own country, and fully leverage your unique talents to make your own contributions to the modernization of both our two countries and humanity at large.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Right now, China is marching towards the Second Centenary Goal of building itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of the century. Africa is moving at an accelerated speed toward the bright prospects envisioned in Agenda 2063, and making all-out efforts to build a new Africa that enjoys peace, unity, prosperity and strength. Guided by the priorities of National Strategic Development Plan II, Lesotho is advancing towards a self-reliant and competitive economy to rise as a Mountain Kingdom that shall never be the same.

I am confident that the joint pursuit of modernization by China and Lesotho, and also other African countries, will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in the building of a community with a shared future for humanity!