Honorable President of the Senate,

Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,

Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,

Honorable Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Your Lordship the Chief Justice,

Honorable Ministers,

Honorable Members of Parliament,

Y.E. the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before I deliver my speech, I would like to express my appreciations to the Government of Lesotho for having made it possible for me to present the copies of the Letters of Credence. Today I feel exceptionally privileged to hold this reception to celebrate the 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. First of all, please allow me to pay my highest respects to H.M. the King Letsie III and the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili. May I also avail of this opportunity to extend my warmest welcome to all the respectable guests present here today. It’s my first time to be here, the beautiful Kingdom, but I am feeling back home rather than being overseas. Because when I first stepped on this soil, I was impressed and overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth accorded by Basotho people. This land is brimming with vitality and prospects for development because of our Basotho brothers and sisters.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year marks 30th anniversary of the introduction of reform and opening-up policy in China. 30 years ago, the Chinese people succeeded in embarking on a path of development suited to China’s national conditions and made great progress in its modernization drive. Both its economy and people’s living standard have improved significantly. The past year witnessed a rapid economic growth and wealth creation in China, with the GDP grew 11.4 percent year-on-year to 3.43 trillion U.S. dollars，ranking No. 4 in the world, which is the fifth year in a row GDP had expanded by more than 10 percent. In the first half of this year, China's GDP grew 10.4 percent to 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars over the same period last year. The above achievements were scored despite many uncertainties emerged in the international political and economic situation, in particular, high oil and grain price. On the other hand, China is the world’s largest developing country with a large population, weak foundation and uneven regional development. China’s per capita GDP amounts to only 6 percent of that of the U.S, ranking 104th place in the world. We are soberly aware that there is still a long way ahead before we reach the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Last October, China has successfully host 17th National Congress of Communist Party of China(CPC), elected new national leadership, and adopted the amended CPC Constitution. China has made sustained efforts to push forward economic and political restructuring, taking the practical manner to constantly and fully reform and open itself to the outside world. In this regard, the Chinese government and people will continue working hard to pursue development in a scientific way, put people first, give top priority to economic development, advance reform and opening-up, and increase people’s welfare. We will continue to pursue the independent foreign policy of peace, the path of peaceful development and the opening-up strategy for mutual benefit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year is very special for China. On May 12th 2008, a devastating earthquake measuring 8.0 Richter scale hit China’s southwestern Sichuan Province, causing estimated 70,000 people dead. Faced by this unprecedented catastrophe since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese leadership had mobilized all kinds of resources for disaster relief work in effective way. President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao paid site visits respectively, giving the full supports and encouragements to the suffering people. Now it has come to the reconstruction stage. What we can’t forget is that during the hardship, the Lesotho government and people rendered the most valuable support to Chinese quake-affected people by donating 5 million Maloti. “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. This generosity fully reflects the close bond of brotherhood between our two peoples. It will go down as milestone in the annals of Sino-Lesotho relations and turn into the inexhaustible source of strength for propelling the growth of bilateral relations. On behalf of Chinese government and people, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Lesotho government and people again. With the strong support from friendly countries, especially our Basotho brothers and sisters, China will overcome whatever difficulties confronted ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has come to a successful conclusion. The century-old Olympic dream of the nation finally comes true. The well-designed and well-prepared Games has won unanimous appreciations from around world. China has fulfilled its commitments to the international community of hosting a high-standard and unique Olympic Games with distinctive features, by earnestly performing its international duties, preparing for the Games with an open mind and in a down-to-earth manner. At the Beijing Olympic Games, miracles were produced and dreams fulfilled. 38 world records have been refreshed. Many countries have made historic breakthroughs by winning their first Olympic medals or gold medals. The Beijing Olympic Games is a sports feast enjoyed by all of us. Although the Beijing Olympic flame extinguished, the Olympic spirit of solidarity, friendship and peace has been spread to every corner of the world through this wonderful and exciting Games.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are glad to note that over the past year, under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili and Lesotho Congress of Democracy, Lesotho has enjoyed general peace and stability and made remarkable progress in its endeavor in economic development and poverty reduction. The Government of Lesotho has adopted a series of policies to set good governance, ensure food security, combat aids pandemic, attract foreign investments, and create employment. Priority has also been given to the education, infrastructure, manufacturing and public welfare that are vital to people’s livelihood. As a result, all these initiatives contribute greatly to improving people’s living standard and are welcomed by Basotho people. Last month, Lesotho has signed the Free Trade Agreement(FTA), which will impact the whole South African region including Lesotho in a significant way. We believe that Lesotho will transform the challenges to the opportunities and take the best advantage of FTA to benefit its people. On the diplomatic front, Lesotho has upheld the foreign policy of independence, played an active role in promoting regional peace, stability and integration. Its dedicated efforts enjoy appreciations from other Southern African countries even the world at large. We applaud the progress made by our Basotho brothers and sisters and are sure that with the perseverance and dedication, Basotho people will acquire new success in the lofty cause of national development and contribute your share to the regional peace and prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite of the vast geographical distance, China and Lesotho enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. The hearts of our two peoples are closely linked. Over the past year, thanks to the concerted efforts, the Sino-Lesotho relations have registered fast and healthy growth on all fronts. China highly appreciate that the Lesotho government staunchly supports One China policy and China’s national reunification. The high-level visits and exchanges have maintained a smooth momentum. On Chinese side, the Deputy Minister of CPC Mr. Zhang Huawei, the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC) H.E. Mr. Abulaiti Abudurexiti, Chinese Procuratorial Delegation, and Chinese Guangdong Provincial Friendship Delegation have visited Lesotho respectively. On the Lesotho side, the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili has paid a private visit to China. Hon. Minister of Agriculture Mokoma, Minister of Justice Mahase and Minister of Trade Lebesa visited China respectively. Hon. Minister of Sports Lepono led Lesotho Olympic Delegation to China to participate in Beijing Olympic Games. The Hon. Secretary General of LCD Malie have sent congratulatory messages to President Hu Jintao on his reelections as the Secretary General of CPC. All these visits and exchanges have infused fresh vigor into our bilateral relations and further promoted the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between our two peoples. The successful Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2006 has unveiled a new page in Sino-African relations. China attaches great importance to implementing the outcome of the Summit and the following up actions. In Lesotho context, the construction of Lesotho New Parliament Building, served as the new symbol of friendship between China and Lesotho, is undergoing smoothly. The projects of two rural secondary schools, Mushroom Cultivation Technology Demonstration Centre, FM& TV Network Expansion are in full swing. The project of Lesotho National Telecom Network Expansion with 30 million US dollar Chinese government concessional loan has taken off. And other projects are also making important progress. The human resource training cooperation has been conducted effectively and smoothly. Last year, about 170 personnel from all walks of life of Lesotho went to China to receive training. This year so far, about 80 Lesotho personnel have been trained in China, including 6 military officers. The Chinese Government has provided 17 scholarships to Basotho students who are studying in China now. In order to enhance cultural exchanges, the Chinese government sent a high-level arts troupe to Lesotho to perform this January. The thrilling and fascinating performances by Chinese artists are warmly hailed by Basotho people. The Chinese government and people are satisfied with the current climax of the flourishing bilateral cooperation with Lesotho, and will work closely and tirelessly with the Lesotho government and people to maintain this momentum by further promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and common development thus elevate Sino-Lesotho relations to a new high.

Finally, may I propose a toast:

To H.M. the King Letsie III,

To the friendship and cooperation between China and Lesotho,

To the prosperity of the Kingdom of Lesotho and well-being of the Basotho people!

To the King!