China relishes celebrating Moshoeshoe Walk
TEBOHO LEBESA
MASERU – The Maseru Chinese Team’Embassy’s participation in the annual Moshoeshoe’s Walk, fortifies the essence of the Chinese proverb that ‘when hearts are aligned, no mountain or seas can keep us apart.’
This is an experience that the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, says rekindles in him the significance of the coexistence of the two nations bound together by not just humanity but love and brotherhood.
The Moshoeshoe Walk is a 116km journey of heritage and unity from Menkhoaneng in Botha-Bothe to Thaba-Bosiu. The walk honours King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, celebrating resilience, culture and history.
This is a three-day walk in March, the month in which the Basotho commemorate the death of King Moshoeshoe I.
The commemorative walk retraces the historic journey taken by the legendary King Moshoeshoe and his followers in the early 19th century as they fled conflicts and sought refuge at the Thaba-Bosiu fortress.
The event also acts as a catalyst for the promotion of tourism, giving craftsmen a chance to sell the Basotho culture and their history to other nations.
Ambassador Yang declared it an accomplishment that the Chinese team that participated in the walk stood at the feet of the Thaba-Bosiu fortress “where the footsteps of history meet today’s celebration! To every participant who braved the journey: Le phethetse! Mission completed, Congratulations!”
The Ambassador highlighted too that the union of the Chinese team with other walkers of other nationalities, brought together by this commemoration of the Basotho, also renewed the spirit of unity as propagated by Moshoeshoe I “whose wisdom united the great Basotho nation.”
“The Chinese Embassy is proud to have joined the Moshoeshoe Walk for the second consecutive year. Our team – diplomats, enterprises, and community leaders – marched not just for endurance, but to deepen the China-Lesotho Strategic Partnership,” Ambassador Yang observed.
In January 1994 Lesotho re-established diplomatic relations with China, and since then the bilateral relations between the two counties have developed smoothly.
The Chinese government has since completed multiple aid-projects in the country, including in the areas of agriculture, health, road infrastructure and food security – with ‘Manthabiseng National Convention Center, the Parliament Building and the Maseru District Hospital standing as noticeable testaments. Chinese companies have also been involved in several construction projects around the country.
The walk that ended on the global celebration of the International Women’s Day this year, has also been noted by the Chinese ambassador as honouring women, who shape the nation.
“To the mothers caring for children while climbing hills, and the girls with grit – your strength embodies the Basotho spirit that a woman is a fortress. In China we say ‘Women hold up half the sky.’
Under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’s (FOCAC) ‘Empowerment of women and youth’ action, we pledge to amplify your voices even louder and make more of your potential realized,” highlighted the ambassador.
“Next year, we will return, with more stories and energies,” he continued, adding that in the spirit of FOCAC, China and Lesotho aren’t just partners.
“We are family. We are not just walking together, we are building a visionary tomorrow and a shared future.”
It is through this historical walk that Lesotho gets exposure as participants from foreign countries across the globe visit the country, but not only for the walk but different tourist attractions laid out along the route to Thaba-Bosiu.
The Chinese team that participated in this year’s edition of the Moshoeshoe’s Walk included journalists from the People’s Daily, China’s most influential newspaper, to spotlight the journey and showcase Lesotho’s breathtaking landscapes and rich culture to millions of Chinese nationals at home.
Ambassador Yang said this will definitely make Lesotho much better known in china and the world at large.
Along the Moshoeshoe Walk trail, Ambassador Yang further said, apart from witnessing the beautiful scenery, profound culture and warm hospitality of the Basotho, the Chinese team taking part also marveled at some China-Lesotho road and food projects at Ha Makhoathi, Malimong, and the Marakabei to Monontša road.
“Chinese projects in the country, including these along these along the walk’s trail, have facilitated remote villages with transport and water, empowered farmers, and saved lives. These are not just projects but testaments to our strategic partnership as enduring as the maloti, which also mirror the feature of the historic Moshoeshoe Walk – Action, not words, solidarity, not solitude,” the ambassador further said.
The Chinese government has since completed multiple aid-projects in the country, including in the areas of agriculture, health, road infrastructure and food security – with ‘Manthabiseng National Convention Center, the Parliament Building and the Maseru District Hospital standing as noticeable testaments. Chinese companies have also been involved in several construction projects around the country.
Among many of China-linked projects in the country, in December 13, 2024, Ambassador Yang was part of the handover ceremony of the Marakabei-Monontša Road upgrade project. The event was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara and several cabinet ministers.
The project was financed by the government of Lesotho and constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation.
Ambassador Yang had the opportunity to conduct a thorough inspection of the key sections of the project and the project camp, expressing his appreciation to the project staff and listening to detailed reports on the operational and safety aspects of the project.
China Geo-Engineering Corporation has successfully completed numerous road and bridge projects in Lesotho, earning widespread acclaim, with Ambassador Yang emphasizing that the involvement of Chinese enterprises in infrastructure projects as a significant component of the high-level practical cooperation between China and Lesotho – reflecting China’s commitment to quality and its positive image.
Ambassador Yang further said he wished for China Geo-Engineering Corporation would continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, real-results, amity and good faith, and champion the values of upholding justice and pursuing shared interests.
He said by maintaining high standards and rigorous requirements, the company can play a more substantial role in deepening the friendship between China and Lesotho.
In 2014 the Metolong Dam was completed and officially handed over to government by Chinese construction company Sinohydro Corporation, after five years of construction.
While in 2008 Gymnastics prince Li Ning joined the Chinese government delegation to provide food aid worth $1 million to women, orphans and Aids patients in the country together with the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
The food donated by China was distributed to women, children and orphans at the Ha Makhoathi village health centre, in Maseru.
The Chinese government purchased 1 336 tons of maize meal from local farmers, enabling the WFP to feed 75 000 people for more than three months.
Only three weeks ago, China handed over a consignment of 810 tons of rice and wheat, valued at M25 million to Lesotho, in what has been described reinforcing the strong diplomatic and developmental ties between the two nations.
The food assistance forms part of a broader support package from China to Lesotho, and Ambassador Yang said the donation as a reflection of the enduring friendship and mutual support between the two countries.
“This emergency food assistance demonstrates China’s commitment to keeping its promises and honoring its words in providing China Aid. China always upholds the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith in developing friendly ties with Africa,” he said.
Ambassador Yang further highlighted that food security remains a key focus of China’s cooperation with African nations, including Lesotho. He reaffirmed China’s dedication to supporting Lesotho in eradicating hunger and strengthening food security.
“Since 2016, except for the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has provided food assistance to the government of Lesotho every year. China remains willing to continue offering support within its capacity to address the urgent needs of the local people,” he added.
The latest donation is expected to alleviate food shortages in the country and assist vulnerable communities.
The Lesotho government expressed gratitude for China’s continued support, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in addressing food security challenges.
