Lesotho has received an M400 000 grant from the Peoples Republic of China. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Monyane Moleleki signed on behalf of the country whilst Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr Lu Xinhua, signed on behalf of China.

The agreement was signed in Maseru on July 28.

Mr Moleleki said relations between the countries have been growing from strength to strength and that this is proved by the assistance that Lesotho has been receiving from China since the return of democracy in 1993.

China has assisted Lesotho in sectors such as education, agriculture, health, trade and defence. The Convention Centre and the newly completed National Library are living monuments of the strong multi sectoral cooperation between the two.

Vice Minister Xinhua said it is his hope that the warm relations that both countries share will continue for more years to come.

The grant will be used for procurement of office equipment for the ministry of foreign affairs in Lesotho or other projects mutually agreed upon by the two governments.

29 July 2005