MASERU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday that China stands ready to work with Lesotho to promote the unity and self-reliance in the Global South toward their shared modernization, and to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
China has always adhered to the principle of equality for all countries, big or small, in its diplomacy, and the China-Lesotho relationship is a good example in this regard, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when meeting with his Lesotho counterpart, Lejone Mpotjoana.
China regards Lesotho as a strategic partner and is willing to work with the Lesotho side to set a model of mutual respect, equal-footed cooperation and shared development between countries of different sizes, he added.
Noting that his visit marks the 36th consecutive year that Chinese foreign ministers have made Africa the destination of their first overseas visit in a new year, Wang said that it has sent a clear message that China and Africa always stand together to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries.
The world is undergoing profound changes and growing turbulence, and that unilateralism, hegemonism and protectionism pose serious threats to world peace and harm the interests of all countries, especially small and medium-sized ones, he said.
The four major global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping aim to promote prosperity through development, ensure stability through security, build trust through dialogue among civilizations, and achieve fairness through better global governance, Wang noted.
China appreciates Lesotho's adherence to the one-China principle, he said, adding that China will, as always, support Lesotho in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development rights and interests.
Wang said that the two sides should further strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand people-to-people exchanges, leverage the benefits of China's zero-tariff policies, and deepen practical cooperation across various fields, so as to consistently advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
For his part, Mpotjoana said that Lesotho regards China as a trusted strategic partner, and expressed sincere appreciation for the long-standing assistance and support provided by China. The Lesotho side spoke highly of the important outcomes achieved through the 10 partnership actions for jointly advancing modernization by China and Africa, he added.
Lesotho reiterates its firm commitment to the one-China principle, affirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," said Mpotjoana, adding that Lesotho supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification.
Mpotjoana said that Lesotho is willing to deepen cooperation with China across all areas and to advance, at a high level, the building of a Lesotho-China community with a shared future.
The Lesotho side supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi, and is willing to work closely with China in international affairs to jointly uphold multilateralism and safeguard world peace and development, he added. ■
