Matekane pledges to take advantage of Chinese partnership to develop Lesotho

 “With its future growth in mind, I propose that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations, and that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.” H.E. Xi Jinping

SEEPHEEPHE MAHAO

MASERU – The People’s Republic of China’s President Xi Jinping yesterday urged African countries to advance modernisation that puts the people first with the ultimate goal of modernisation to free and fully develop human beings.

President Xi said China is willing to work vigorously with Lesotho to promote personnel training, poverty reduction and employment, enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of the people in the course of modernisation, and ensure that all will benefit from the process.

In a contest to promote modernisation, China is ready to increase exchanges of governance experience with Africa, support all countries in exploring modernisation paths befitting their national conditions, and help ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all African countries including Lesotho.

In his speech, Prime Minister Sam Matekane said one of the priorities of Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan is to enhance productivity, with emphasis on agriculture modernisation; expanding the energy sector, including utilising water resources, wind power, and solar energy. 

He called on the People’s Republic of China to stand with Lesotho in quest for “Exploring Paths to Modernization”.

Matekane implored China to give the support to undertake and assist to propel Basotho out of the agrarian economy towards an industrial economy which is based on modern mechanised mass manufacturing of food and other goods, calling for an increase in supply of agricultural machinery, agro-processing and manufacturing plants.

He further asked China to uplift Basotho from abject poverty by increasing investments in labour intensive projects alongside the related value chains for local employment and occupation opportunities. Matekane further urged President Xi to assist in the development of infrastructure connectivity and transform rural villages by investing in projects such as roads and housing accompanied by investments in the energy sector.

Harnessing technology connectivity for more efficient communication, improved public services, enhanced productivity, public safety, and profitable commercial interactions in Lesotho as well as with continental neighbours and the world at large are also key, he said.

He also advocated improvement in the quality of life by providing affordable if not free education and easily accessible health services. 

Matekane also met with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang who showed keen interest in working with Lesotho to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries to advance modernisation, and continue to support the country on issues of common interest.

Li further said China is willing to join hands with Lesotho to expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, follow the vision of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, textile, education, tourism and other fields, and tap the potential for cooperation in emerging areas such as green development and the digital economy.

“China is willing to import more quality products from Lesotho, strengthen industry cooperation in the Mountain Kingdom and better influence complementary advantages to the country,” said Premier Li.

Matekane is expected to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, education, and other fields under the framework of the FOCAC.

President Xi on his opening remarks at the FOCAC summit said in the next three years, China will work with Africa to take the partnership actions for modernisation to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South-Modernization.

Among the ten partnership actions were Agriculture and Livelihoods where China will provide Africa with around M2.7 billionin emergency food assistance, build about 6,670 hectares of standardized agriculture demonstration areas, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. 

Partnership Action for Health whereby China will establish African hospitals’ alliance and joint medical centres and send medical personnel to Africa. They will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production and continue to help Africa with epidemic responses.

There is also the Partnership Action for Green Development where China is ready to launch clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. 

Partnership Action for Exchanges Programs entails China implementing with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa in implementing Vocational Education Cooperation Plan and establishing an engineering technology academy together. China will provide training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths, and launch the Africa a Cultural Silk Road program as well as an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programmes.

The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Furthermore, Matekane met with China’s top political advisor Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, who said China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on development philosophies and reform experience, and deepen cooperation in various fields.

Matekane expressed willingness to deepen practical cooperation and enhance inter-party exchanges with China, and learn from China’s experience in governance, as Xi said China will make better use of Africa’s leadership academies to cultivate talents for governance, and invite members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.

Matekane also met with several companies for potential investment and partnerships for Lesotho during the FOCAC in Beijing.

He was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister Matjato Moteane, Foreign Affairs Deputy Principal Secretary Limpho Motsamai and other government officials.

FOCAC was established in 2000 with 53 member states to serve as a platform for collective dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries. Its main focus is on practical cooperation across various fields and to align development strategies as well as exchange of ideas and philosophies.