China and Lesotho have agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, water management and renewable energy during an official visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, outlining a road-map for future bilateral collaboration.
At the invitation of Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lejone Mpotjoana, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the Kingdom of Lesotho from Saturday to Sunday. During his visit, Wang met with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane and held talks with Mpotjoana.
In a joint communique, both countries commended the progress achieved under the China-Africa cooperation framework, which has supported Lesotho's modernization in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and green energy. Lesotho welcomed China's high-standard opening-up policies and expressed readiness to make full use of the zero-tariff treatment to expand trade and deepen practical cooperation.
In an interview with China Media Group following the talks, Mpotjoane said, "The main reason for the visit for the minister is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho. We are also working on improving our agricultural produce. We have received assistance for the food storage and logistics facility. We have received the agricultural machinery equipment and will be working on the agricultural produce market aggregation centers as the next phase for our agricultural development."
Lesotho also aims to develop its water and renewable energy resources to serve regional needs, said the minister.
"We are also working on our water and energy programs, because Lesotho is the water tower of the southern Africa region and we would like to use our water resources to generate more power to supply the Southern Africa region," he said.
The visit underscores Lesotho's growing importance in China's diplomatic engagements amid evolving global trade patterns. For Lesotho, the trip presents an opportunity to deepen economic ties with China, particularly as the country seeks to diversify its partnerships and revitalize its textile industry, which has faced challenges due to shifts in U.S. trade policy.
China, Lesotho elevate partnership to deepen trade, energy cooperation
