China has made tremendous and productive efforts to implement strategic partnership featuring political equality, cultural exchanges and economic development with the African countries, including Lesotho.

The Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Mr. Qiu Bohua, said this at a press briefing to mark a one year anniversary of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation.

Mr. Bohua said Lesotho and China share bilateral cooperation on various fields, noting that existing relations between the two countries is developing successfully.

He pointed out that China intends to support Lesotho to carryout development programmes for the benefit of Basotho. The programmes include Radio and Television expansion and afforestation project in the Thaba-Bosiu area.

He pointed out that through the afforestation project, communities in the area will be trained on production of different types of trees and prevention of soil erosion and thus alleviate poverty.

The Ambassador noted that sod-turning ceremony for the radio and television expansion is expected to be performed before the end of this year, while afforestation project is also planned to start early next year.

Other projects that will follow include building of two primary schools in Maseru and Qacha's Nek.

Source: LENA 01/11/2007