Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Lesotho on Saturday as part of his annual visit to Africa.
China and Lesotho enjoy a long-standing partnership characterized by development cooperation and high-level exchanges.
When meeting with Wang, Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane said that Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy.
For his part, Wang said that, since the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, the two countries have advanced cooperation under the “Ten Partnership Actions” and successfully implemented a number of key projects, effectively promoting Lesotho’s development and revitalization.
China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral fields, and push the China–Lesotho strategic partnership to achieve greater development, Wang noted.
Prior to Lesotho, Wang visited Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania.
Wang is visiting Africa, continuing the unbroken 36-year tradition of Chinese foreign ministers choosing Africa as their first overseas destination each year.
Lesotho is the final stop of his African trip from January 7 to 12.
Chinese foreign minister arrives in Lesotho for visit
Chinese foreign minister arrives in Lesotho for visit
Giant pandas Chen Xing and Xiao Yue from China officially made their public debut in Malaysia on Saturday.
In a ceremony marking the event at the Giant Panda Conservation Center (GPC) at Zoo Negara, the country's national zoo in Selangor, the pair met eager visitors following their quarantine and acclimatization.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was the guest of honor. In his remarks at the ceremony, Anwar thanked China for the cooperation in the conservation of giant pandas, noting that they are hugely popular with the Malaysian public.
The Malaysian side has prepared high-quality bamboo for the giant pandas to help them better adapt to local life. The two pandas are now in good health and have fully acclimated to their new home.
Many local visitors waited in long lines and braved crowds for their chance to catch a glimpse of the pair.
"It's such a surprise to see a giant panda. We looked forward to it and had waited for a long time outside," said a visitor.
Many visitors said it was their first time to see a giant panda.
"We feel very happy because for me it's my first-time experience to see them in real life. [They are] very cute and very big also. So, I wish all of them well since they came to Malaysia," said a visitor.
"I hope they will be healthy and happy, feeling at home here," said another visitor.
China and Malaysia launched their first round of international cooperation on giant panda conservation in 2014.
Xing Xing and Liang Liang were the first pair of giant pandas sent to Malaysia in 2014 and completed an 11-year stay in Malaysia before returning to China last May.
Malaysia welcomed the arrival of new pair of giant pandas Chen Xing and Xiao Yue last November. This couple is to stay in the Southeast Asian country for 10 years.
New giant panda couple makes public debut in Malaysia
