MINISTERS OF CULTURE SIGN IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT.

 The Lesotho Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture (MINTOUR), Honourable Hlalele Motaung and the Minister of Culture in the People's Republic of China Mr Sun Jaizheng signed the Implementation Agreement on Cultural Cooperation in Beijing, China, on November 06, 2000.

Honourable Motaung, who was on an official visit in the People's Republic of China was accompanied by the Ministry's Principal Secretary Mrs. 'Mathato Matlanyane, the Director of the Department of Culture, Mrs. Ntsema Khits'ane and Mr. Koroloso Lekhesa who hails from the National University of Lesotho.

A Press Release from MINTOUR indicate that, the Agreement paves way for a formal cultural interaction between the two countries in forms such as, visitation programmes for performing art groups, cultural training programmes and exhibitions of works of art.  It further said, after the signing of the agreement, Honourable Jaizheng pledged to his counterpart (Yuan 100,000.00) M90 000 to be used towards the procurement of office equipment.

Whilst on the official visit, the Minister and his delegation toured historical and cultural sites situated in Beijing and Xian Provinces.  The places attended include museums hosting collections dating as far back as 2000 years.  Other monuments viewed include the Great Wall of China, the One World Heritage site in Xian- an archaeological site, Terra Cota Army site, the National Library, National Botanical Gardens and the National Palace Museum, which is known as the Forbidden city – home of the imperialists.

Having departed for the People’s Republic of China on the 3^rd of November 2000, the delegation arrived in Maseru the following week, on the 12^th. 

SOURCE: LENA.