2024 to mark milestone as Beijing hosts FOCAC

. . . Lesotho welcomes Chinese envoy Xiaokun

SEEPHEEPHE MAHAO

MASERU – The ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, has announced that 2024 will mark a significant milestone as the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit is set to take place in Beijing this September.

Among the participating nations, Lesotho will send a high-level delegation, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement. Speaking at his welcoming reception in Maseru on Tuesday, Ambassador Xiaokun, who recently assumed his position as China’s 12th envoy to Lesotho, emphasised the enduring ties between China and Africa.

Having succeeded Ambassador Lei Kezhong, who left in June, Xiaokun’s return to the continent—where he worked 30 years ago in Zambia—revives a deep personal connection to Africa. “My affection for Africa and its people remains unchanged,” he declared, reflecting on the progress made since his early diplomatic days.

In his address, he highlighted the upcoming FOCAC summit, scheduled for September 4-6, noting that under its guidance, China-Africa relations have entered a transformative phase, garnering global recognition. The FOCAC platform, established in 2000, fosters cooperation between China and African nations, focusing on practical collaboration across various sectors.

The summit alternates between China and Africa every three years, making it a pivotal event on the diplomatic calendar, akin to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

This year’s FOCAC will adopt a thematic committee approach, co-chaired by China and an African country, and will feature an extensive agenda involving diplomatic missions, senior officials, and ministerial conferences.

The theme for 2024 is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” emphasising the strategic partnership between the two regions.

Ambassador Xiaokun elaborated on the four key pillars of FOCAC: political mutual trust, practical cooperation, development strategy alignment, and the exchange of ideas. He pointed out that since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first overseas visit to Africa in 2013, China-Africa relations have deepened significantly.

In particular, China and Lesotho have seen frequent high-level interactions, with over 50 exchanged letters and more than 10 ministerial visits between their leaders. China’s investments in Africa have flourished, with over 3,300 Chinese enterprises operating on the continent.

In Lesotho, China’s involvement has been instrumental in the completion of key infrastructure projects, including the Parliament building, the National Library, the ’Manthabiseng Convention Centre, and the Mpiti-Sehlabathebe road.

Other notable contributions include the Mafeteng Solar Plant, Maseru District Hospital, and support for educational initiatives such as scholarships and the Confucius Classroom.

FOCAC also promotes the alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Africa’s development goals, such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations (UN)’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Lesotho’s new national development strategy aligns well with these initiatives, opening up further opportunities for cooperation. Reflecting on the upcoming FOCAC summit, Ambassador Xiaokun said, “September is a golden autumn harvesting season in China and a lively spring of sowing season in Lesotho.”

He expressed confidence that with joint efforts, China and Lesotho would continue to build a shared future, fostering friendship and cooperation. As Lesotho prepares to participate in the Beijing summit, it is clear that the partnership between the two nations is poised for a new and promising chapter.