First of all, please allow me to pay respects to:
His Majesty King Letsie III, head of state of the Kingdom of Lesotho,
His Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane, head of government of the Kingdom of Lesotho,
Honourable President of the Senate,
Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,
Lordship Chief Justice,
Former Prime Ministers,
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
Former Deputy Prime Ministers,
Honourable Cabinet Ministers, past and present,
Excellencies, colleagues of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations,
Distinguished Members of the Senate,
Distinguished Members of the National Assembly,
Senior Officials of central and local government,
Members of the press,
Representatives of the Chinese community and Chinese Corporations,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to gather with you on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. In 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. At that time, China was a poor and underdeveloped country, struggling to recover from years of war and instability. 76 years later, China has become the world's second-largest economy and has successfully embarked on Chinese modernization. 

Over the 76 years, China has transformed itself remarkably, from poverty to prosperity, from turmoil to stability, from technological backwardness to innovation leadership, from severe pollution to green development, from isolation to a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the World.

One of our experience is the successful implementation of the Five-Year Plans. Formulating well-designed five-year plans and implementing them consecutively represent an important piece of governance experience for the Communist Party of China and a major political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This year marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. To promote development with a focus on quality improvement during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we have grounded our efforts in the new stage of development, applied the new development philosophy, created a new development paradigm, and has made great achievements:

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's economic increment is projected to exceed 4.89 trillion US dollars, contributing about 30 percent annually to global economic growth. Despite various global challenges, the growth of China, given its vast economic scale, is an unprecedented achievement. The steady economic performance has also translated into tangible improvements in people's livelihoods. Urban job creation exceeded 12 million annually, reflecting the populous country's stable labor market.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the national general public budget has allocated 2.8 trillion US dollars for education, 2.7 trillion US dollars for social security and employment, 1.5 trillion US dollars for health care, and 500 billion US dollars for housing supply and support. Together with expenditures in other fields, the fiscal inputs in the people's livelihood is nearly 14 trillion US dollars. Everybody in China, whether in bustling cities or in remote villages, whether young or old, is enjoying more and better social security and welfare.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China placed innovation in an important position. Our total investment in research and development has reached a new high. In 2024, China's R&D spending surged nearly 50 percent. Continuous investment in research funding has yielded concrete outcomes. At sea, China unveiled its third aircraft carrier. On land, the world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant officially went into commercial operation. In the sky, the C919, China's first self-developed trunk jetliner has entered commercial service. In space, the returner of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe has brought back samples collected from the moon's far side for the first time in human history. With regard to digitalization, China had built 4.55 million 5G base stations and connected 226 million gigabit broadband users as of the end of June 2025. The country's total computing power now ranks second globally. Across numerous sectors, China is accelerating its transformation from quantitative growth to qualitative progress, emerging as a global innovation frontrunner.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the achievements of green development have become a feature and highlight of the country's high-quality development. As a responsible major economy, China has not only met but exceeded its sustainability promises. From 2021 to 2024, energy consumption per unit of GDP fell 11.6 percent, cutting carbon emissions by around 1.1 billion tonnes, nearly half the European Union's total emissions in 2024. As a global leader in renewable energy, China's installed renewable energy capacity reached 2.09 billion kilowatts by May 2025, more than doubling that in 2020. One in three kilowatt-hours of electricity nationwide is now from green sources. The adoption of green lifestyles has surged, with new energy vehicle ownership soaring to 31.4 million in 2024, up significantly from 4.92 million in 2020. Driven by China's large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs, items at the highest energy-efficiency levels account for 90 percent of total sales revenue, effectively promoting investment, consumption, energy conservation and carbon reduction.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has insisted on opening. China has twice reduced its negative list for foreign investment since 2021. All restrictions on foreign access to the manufacturing sector have been lifted, and further liberalization has occurred in agriculture and services. Pilot initiatives in healthcare and value-added telecommunications have opened new opportunities for foreign businesses. Solid efforts have been made to ensure foreign firms receive national treatment and enjoy strong intellectual property protection. Foreign direct investment into China totaled 660 billion US dollars from 2021 through May 2025. China remains and will continue to be an ideal, safe and promising destination for global investors.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's national strength has been significantly enhanced, which will also offer opportunities for global development. Belt and Road cooperation has made historic achievements and become the most popular international public good and the largest platform for international cooperation. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative have offered China's proposals for world development, peace and dialogue. This September, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity, by staying committed to sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centered approach, and real results.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the 76 years, China and Africa have been good brothers who fight side by side and share a common future. The Chinese and African peoples have supported each other in the struggle for independence and liberation and in the endeavor to defend national sovereignty. The world is undergoing profound changes, yet the friendship between China and Africa has grown ever stronger, standing the test of time and becoming even more resilient in the face of new challenges. Last year, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) successfully convened. It was a milestone that charted new directions and injected fresh momentum into China-Africa relations of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Last September, when His Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane visited China and attended Beijing Summit, we elevated our ties to a strategic partnership, making China the first and only country to establish such a partnership with Lesotho,ushering in broader horizons for our shared future.

Political trust is the cornerstone of China–Lesotho relations. Our leaders of two countries H.E. President Xi Jinping, His Majesty King Letsie III and His Right Honorable Prime Minister Matekane have been exchanging letters frequently, establishing close personal relationship, providing guidance to the development of China-Lesotho relations. China has always been a trustworthy partner, standing with Lesotho in its quest for development priorities. Lesotho has steadfastly upheld the one-China principle and firmly supported China's efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the field of practical cooperation, I am pleased to see that over the past year since the Beijing Summit, China and Lesotho have made important progress in implementing the Summit outcomes. The Fingerprint Laboratory was among the very first batch of projects implemented after the Summit. Nearly every month, we witness the completion or groundbreaking of a new project. In the coming month, the Maseru Agricultural Storage and Logistics Infrastructure Project and new batches of agricultural machinery will be handed over to our Basotho friends. These projects are improving livelihoods, driving development, and strengthening the bonds between our two nations. Lesotho has truly become a model in delivering FOCAC outcomes.

True friendship also lies in close connections between peoples. We are delighted to see the establishment of Confucius Institutes and many wonderful cultural exchange events there. Through scholarships and training programs, already more than 400 Basotho friends have gone to China this year. Chinese medical teams regularly provide community services and technical assistance. Next year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, and is designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Our Embassy is coordinating closely with our Basotho friends to plan for cultural and people-to-people events and celebrations. There will be a lot of joy to look forward to.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today's world faces increasing uncertainties and challenges. China highly appreciates the support for the Global Governance Initiative from Lesotho and all partners, and stands ready to work together for a more just and equitable global governance system, as well as for a community of shared future for humanity.

Looking ahead, China will continue to pursue high-quality development and Chinese modernization. We firmly believe that peace and development remain the theme of our times. We will continue to uphold multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and meet challenges together with Basotho friends. The journey of cooperation never stops, and the bonds of friendship will only grow stronger. As we move forward, China and Lesotho will continue to walk side by side and write a new and glorious chapter in our partnership.

May I invite you to raise your glass to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 59th anniversary of Lesotho's independence. May China and Lesotho enjoy prosperity and their peoples' well-being! May China-Lesotho relations enjoy a brighter future! May all the guests and your families enjoy good health and happiness!

Thank you!

Khotso, Pula, Nala.