Remarks by the Honourable Dr. R. Phororo, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs at a Reception to Celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China - 23 September 2004.

HIS MAJESTY KING LETSIE III

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER

HONOURABLE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

HONOURABLE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

YOUR LORDSHIP CHIEF JUSTICE

HONOURABLE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

HONOURABLE MINISTERS

HIS LORDSHIP THE JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

YOUR LORDSHIPS JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT

YOUR EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR QIU BOHUA

YOUR EXCELLENCIES HEADS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN  

We are gathered here today to share with our Chinese friends the joy of celebrating the 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). A fulfilling and joyous occasion indeed.  

The longest journey starts with the first step. For the Chinese people the first step was in 1949, when the Chinese people resolved to develop their nation and their country, turning it into an economic giant. On the domestic front the focus was on economic and social development of the the PRC and her people, whilst on the international front it was international peace and security as well as peaceful co-existence amongst al nations of the world, emphasis being assistance to the least developed countries. 

We are all witnesses to the tremendous strides the PRC as made in terms of her economic growth and social development, not to mention the generous assistance being extended to the least developed countries, and her role in maters of international peace and security. 

YOUR EXCELLENCIES

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

 It is fitting that we all congratulate the government and people of the People's Republic of China for these remarkable achievements, but above all we congratulate them for their 55th anniversary. Mr. Ambassador, the government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho are happy to be counted among the sincere well wishers of your great Republic on this auspicious occasion. 

The Kingdom of Lesotho and the People's Republic of China re-established diplomatic relations in 1994 immediately upon the restoration of democratic governance in Lesotho. The re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries did not only bring about strong government to government bonds of cooperation, but also people to people mutual relations and understanding. Since then the two countries have enjoyed strong bonds of friendship and harmonious relations based on equality and respect of sovereign rights of each other.  Lesotho and China maintain frequent high level political dialogue and cooperation  at the highest echelons of government, but also strengthened and cherished people to people exchanges, cultural interaction in particular.   

“Typical of her generous disposition towards Lesotho, the People’s Republic of China continues to support Lesotho’s development programmes in sectors such as infrastructure, human resources development, education and health, and the military”, Dr. Phororo said.

Your 

YOUR EXCELLENCIES, IF I WERE TO CITE EXAMPLES OF EACH SECTOR  IN WHICH PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO LESOTHO, I WOULD TALK UNTIL “CATTLE COME HOME”. SUFFICE IT TO MENTION THE MOST RECENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS, NAMELY, THE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CONSTRUCTION THAT HAS JUST COMMENCED; DONATION OF M20 MILLION IN RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY APPEAL MADE BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER TO MITIGATE THE SERIOUS IMPACT OF DROUGHT.  OUT OF THIS GENEROUS GRANT, 2 000 METRIC TONS OF YELLOW MAIZE WAS TO BE PROVIDED AND  I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE SUPPLIES ARE BEING DELIVERED AND THE BALANCE OF THE GRANT WILL BE UTILIZED FOR FUNDING PROJECTS WHICH WILL BE AGREED UPON BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS. 

He applauded the People’s Republic of China for granting Lesotho  M20 Million, which he said was an outcome negotiations between  Lesotho’s Deputy Prime Minister and his counterparts when he visited China.  Similar invitations were also subsequently extended to the Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation, as well as to the Minister of Gender, Youth and Sports. 

All these acts of support, Dr. Phororo indicated, demonstrate the commitment of China to avail developing and least developed countries, such as Lesotho, of its secrets in achieving such remarkable progress.  

 On the multilateral front, The Minister recognized with satisfaction the special relationship between China and the developing and least developed countries of Africa. He added that, the China-Africa Forum serves as a practical mechanism for regular dialogue and consultations on cooperation in the social, economic, cultural, scientific, technology, and trade and investment fields between the People’s Republic of China and Africa.    

We highly value the consistency with which the people’s republic of china pursues its principle of striving for world peace and universal development,  as embodied in her foreign policy. we are encouraged by the efforts of china to safeguard peace and stability in Asia.  in this regard, Lesotho supports the efforts of china to advocate for peace and dialogue between India and Pakistan as well as the Korean peninsular. 

Lesotho will continue to support the “one china, two systems” policy and hopes that peaceful re-unification of china will be achieved by the re–unification of Taiwan to the motherland.  it is our firm belief that this will enhance china’s role in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity of Asia and, indeed, globally.  

Finally may I now invite you Mr. Ambassador and all distinguished guests to raise your glasses and join me in proposing a toast to the personal well being and   good   health   of   His  Excellency  president  Hu Jin Tao and for the success and prosperity of the people of the people’s republic of China. 

To the President !!

24 September 2004