China and Lesotho Assert That the Authority of UNGA Resolution 2758 Is Beyond Question

In a joint press communiqué issued by the governments of China and Lesotho, it was pointed out that the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 is beyond question and cannot be challenged.

According to the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lejone, Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, Wang Yi, paid an official visit to Lesotho last weekend (January 10th to 11th) local time.

During the visit, the foreign ministers of the two countries had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Lesotho relations, China-Africa relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern. After the talks, the two governments released a joint press communiqué.

According to the communiqué, both sides highly praised the achievements in the development of China-Lesotho bilateral relations and reaffirmed their willingness to promote the China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level.

Both sides agreed to resolutely support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. The Lesotho side reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China principle, recognized that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The Lesotho side firmly opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and strongly supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 is beyond question and cannot be challenged. China supports Lesotho in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Both sides emphasized that the development of human rights is the common cause of all mankind, and the right to subsistence and development are primary and fundamental human rights. Exchanges and cooperation on human rights should be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Affairs related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet are China's internal affairs. Both sides oppose politicization, weaponization, and double standards on human rights issues, and oppose using human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of either China or Lesotho.
Both sides believe that the great change unseen in a century is accelerating globally, and that countries of the Global South are playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. Both sides reiterated that they will continue to work closely together to jointly resist unilateral sanctions, protectionism, and economic bullying, promote equal and orderly multipolarization of the world and inclusive economic globalization, build a more just and reasonable global governance system, and construct a world with lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, and openness and inclusiveness.

According to a press release published by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi met with Lesotho Prime Minister Matekane last Saturday local time in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru.

Wang Yi stated that China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, deepen cooperation in multilateral fields, and promote even greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership. Both sides should continue to firmly support each other. China will accelerate the implementation of zero-tariff measures for Africa in Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, provide more convenience for Lesotho's distinctive products to enter the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development. China will continue to stand firmly with African countries and uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateral bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

According to the Chinese side’s press release, Matekane said Lesotho adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, wishes to work with China to strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and other fields. Lesotho wishes to strengthen unity and cooperation with China at multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.

Earlier, Chinese officials announced that Wang Yi would visit Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho from last Wednesday (7th) to Monday (12th), marking the 36th consecutive year that the Chinese Foreign Minister has made Africa his first trip of the new year.

However, after concluding his visit to Ethiopia last Thursday (8th), Wang Yi arrived in Tanzania last Friday (9th), skipping his trip to Somalia.

According to a notice published on the official website of the Chinese Embassy in Somalia last Saturday, after consultations between the Chinese and Somali Ministries of Foreign Affairs, China adjusted Wang Yi’s itinerary due to scheduling reasons.