Chinese, Lesotho PMs Hold Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 04, 2001

Chinese, Lesotho PMs Hold Talks

China and Lesotho will root out any problems that arise in their friendship so as to put bilateral ties on a healthy track, and bilateral ties will be handled from a long-term, strategic perspective, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday while holding talks with visiting Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

Chinese, Lesotho PMs Hold Talks

China and Lesotho will root out any problems that arise in their friendship so as to put bilateral ties on a healthy track, and bilateral ties will be handled from a long-term, strategic perspective, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday in Beijing.

Zhu made the remarks while holding talks with visiting Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, who arrived here Sunday afternoon for a six-day official visit to China at Zhu's invitation.

Bilateral Ties into a New Level

During the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on the China-Lesotho relations and other issues of common concern and they reached consensus on a wide ranges of issues.

Zhu said that as early as in the 1950s and 1960s, the Chinese people extended sympathy to and support for the Lesotho people's struggle for national independence, and the two countries thereafter forged a profound friendship.

Mosisili's current visit to China is sure to elevate the bilateral ties into a new level, Zhu stressed.

Zhu also spoke highly of the bilateral ties, noting that the two nations had scored remarkable achievements of friendly cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, culture, education and health care.

He cited the example that the visit by Letsie III of Lesotho in 1999 had furthered the understanding and friendship between China and Lesotho.

China has always held that all nations, big or small, rich or poor, are equal in the international community and China is willing to develop a steady, sincere and long-term cooperative relationship of mutual interest with Lesotho, Zhu stressed.

As for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Zhu said that the help offered by China, although not handsome, was sincere and without any conditions, and China encourages Chinese enterprises to conduct cooperation with enterprises of Lesotho.

Zhu also extended thanks to Mosisili for Lesotho's adherence to the one-China policy as well as its support to China in international affairs.

"Lesotho can learn a lot from China's experience"

Mosisili extended congratulations on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its successful bid to host the Olympic Games 2008.

While applauding China's achievements in economic reform and socialist modernization, Mosisili said that Lesotho can learn a lot from China's experience in developing economy, improving people's life and eliminating poverty.

The cooperation between Lesotho and China in various fields has furthered the friendship between the two countries and Lesotho welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Lesotho.

He also reiterated Lesotho's firm stance on the one-China policy.

After the talks, related governmental departments of the two countries signed agreements on economic and technical cooperation and exemption of debts.

Prior to the talks, Zhu hosted a grand welcoming ceremony in Mosisili's honor.

China and Lesotho

Political Relations

The People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho established diplomatic relations in Apr.1983. In April 1990, the Lesotho military government resumed the so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which consequently led to the severance of China-Lesotho diplomatic relations. On Jan. 12, 1994, the government of Basotho Congress Party reestablished diplomatic relations with China. Since then the bilateral relations between the two counties have enjoyed smooth development.

Major visits paid by Chinese senior officials to Lesotho are: Minster of Metallurgical Industry Li Dongye (June 1985), Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Lu Xuejian (Aug.1988), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (Jul.1989), Assistant Foreign Minister Ji Peiding (September 1997), Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation He Xiaowei (Aug. 2000).

Major visits paid by Lesotho to China are: Lesotho Prime Minister Jonathan (May 1983), King Moshoeshoe II (Aug.1985), Queen Mamohato (Aug. 1987), Foreign Minister Qhobela (April 1994), Foreign Minister Maope (Apr.1997), King Letsie III (October 1999). Foreign Minister Thabane and Minister of Industry and Trade Malie were invited to China to participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation / Ministerial Conference Beijing (October 2000).

Trade Relations and Economic Cooperation

The Chinese government has undertaken 6 aid-projects in Lesotho including vegetable planting, methane technical guidance and the National Convention Center. Of the six projects, the National Convention Center is the largest one with a total building area of 6000 square meters. The construction started in Mar.1996 and the center was transferred to Lesotho side in Apr.1999. Trade volume between the two countries in 2000 reached US$ 10.47 million, of which the Chinese exports were US$ 10.42 million, and the imports were US$ 50 thousand.

Exchanges in the fields of Culture, Education and Health

China and Lesotho signed an agreement on cultural exchange in 1985. In November 2000, the Lesotho minister of tourism, sports and culture Motaung visited China and signed an implementing plan for 2001-2004 to the cultural exchange agreement with the Chinese minister of culture Sun Jiazheng. China sent its first medical team to Lesotho in Jun.1997 and the second team arrived in Lesotho in Jun.1999. In November 2000, the two countries exchanged notes on the third medical team. Currently 15 Chinese doctors work in Lesotho. There were 7 Lesotho students studying in China in 1999.

Important bilateral documents

The Joint Communiqu�� on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho

Lesotho PM to Visit China

Vice-President Hu Jintao Meets Lesotho Army Chief

Chief of General Staff Meets Lesotho Guests