Joint Press Release by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho, Mr. Leshone, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Kingdom of Lesotho on January 10-11, 2026. During the visit, the two Foreign Ministers held talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere, exchanging in-depth views on China-Lesotho, China-Africa relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern. Both sides highly praised the achievements in the development of bilateral relations between China and Lesotho, reaffirming their willingness to promote the strategic partnership between China and Lesotho to a higher level, becoming a model of friendly coexistence and common development for countries with different national conditions and systems. Lesotho supports President Xi Jinping's global development initiative, global security initiative, global civilization initiative, and global governance initiative, praising them for bringing stability and certainty to a turbulent world. Both sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns. Lesotho reiterated its firm adherence to the One China principle, recognizing that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, with the government of the People's Republic of China being the only legitimate government representing all of China. Lesotho firmly opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and firmly supports the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 must not be challenged. China appreciates the new progress made in Lesotho's reform process and supports Lesotho in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests. Both sides emphasized that the development of human rights is a common cause for all humanity, with the rights to life and development being paramount basic human rights. Human rights exchanges and cooperation should be carried out on the basis of mutual respect and equality. The issues of Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet are China's internal affairs. Both sides oppose the politicization, weaponization, and double standards of human rights issues, as well as interference in the internal affairs of China and Lesotho under the pretext of human rights. Both sides highly praised the important achievements made in the implementation of the ten major China-Africa cooperation plans in advancing modernization together, injecting new momentum into the development of agriculture, energy transformation, infrastructure, healthcare, and capacity building in Lesotho. Lesotho appreciates China's high-level opening-up, which provides significant opportunities for countries including African countries, and is willing to work together with China to fully leverage the dividends of the zero-tariff policy, deepen cooperation in key areas, and better benefit the two peoples. Both sides believe that the world is undergoing rapid changes. Developing countries in the global south are playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. They reiterated their commitment to closer cooperation to jointly resist unilateral sanctions, protectionism, and economic bullying, promote a fair and equitable world multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization, build a more just and reasonable global governance system, and create a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and environmental beauty.