Maseru- Chinese Embassy
The China–Africa People-to-People Exchange Year was officially launched here in Lesotho on Thursday evening at the Chinese Embassy in Maseru, marking a new phase in cultural, educational and social cooperation between China, Lesotho and the African continent at large.
Delivering remarks at the reception, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Lesotho, Lu Hui, described people-to-people engagement as the foundation of strong state relations, emphasizing that China–Africa cooperation is increasingly centered on ordinary citizens, cultural interaction and youth development. The designation of 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was jointly agreed at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, with the continental launch having taken place earlier this year at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Lu said the Maseru reception represented the translation of that continental consensus into national action, aimed at deepening mutual learning, strengthening traditional friendship and expanding exchanges, particularly among young people.
He noted that in 2026 alone, nearly 600 exchange activities will be held across sectors such as education, culture, tourism, media, youth development and public welfare, all designed to reinforce what China terms an “all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future.”
Highlighting bilateral impact, Lu pointed to longstanding educational ties, revealing that China provides between 400 and 500 scholarships and training opportunities to Basotho annually. Institutional cooperation continues through platforms such as the Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at the National University of Lesotho and the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College, both of which are helping cultivate language skills and cross-cultural competencies.
Youth exchange success stories were also spotlighted. Among them was a young Mosotho photographer, Mapefane, who represented Lesotho at the China–Africa Youth Festival and later won first prize in the 2nd “Youth Creations on Shared Prosperity” Contest. Another example was 15 year old Tumelo Rabolinyane, who participated in the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition in robotics and artificial intelligence, gaining international exposure and technical experience.
Healthcare cooperation was cited as another pillar of relations, with China having dispatched 19 medical teams to Lesotho to date, spanning disciplines including surgery, obstetrics, internal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. A 20th medical team is expected to arrive soon, continuing capacity-building collaboration with local health professionals.
Beyond institutions, Lu said the Embassy has expanded grassroots engagement through outreach visits to all ten districts of Lesotho, supporting schools, villages and community-level cultural initiatives.
The launch comes in a symbolic year that marks both the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the 60th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence, milestones Lu said underscore enduring solidarity.
China also signaled intentions to broaden cooperation through increased scholarships, youth programs, cultural delegations, media collaboration and academic partnerships, positioning the Exchange Year as a practical platform to strengthen long-term friendship between the peoples of China, Lesotho and Africa.
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