**Nine Basotho Students Depart for China on Government‑Sponsored Scholarships**
*Lesotho –* Nine Basotho students are set to travel to China this week to pursue studies in artificial intelligence, agriculture, medicine, engineering and finance, part of an expanding educational partnership between the two countries.
The Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, addressed the students at a reception held at the Chinese Embassy, urging them to make full use of the opportunity and to serve as ambassadors for Lesotho while abroad. Ambassador Yang quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating, “Education is the foundation for building a strong country and realising national rejuvenation.” He emphasized that China’s development has been driven by sustained investment in education, science, technology and human capital.
According to Ambassador Yang, education and skills development have become a key pillar of China‑Lesotho relations. Over the past three years, 1,689 Basotho youths have participated in study and training programmes offered by China, either in person or online. More than 250 Basotho are scheduled to travel to China this year for education and training.
At the 2024 Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, China announced 60,000 training opportunities for Africans across education, vocational training, science, technology and digital skills. Yang said these initiatives aim to bring peoples closer together, particularly young people, as a means of strengthening bilateral ties.
The partnership also includes language and cultural programmes. The Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at the National University of Lesotho and the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College provide Chinese‑language instruction and cultural education for Basotho students.
Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary Rats’iu Majara thanked China for its continued support and urged the departing students to exchange cultures with their hosts and represent Lesotho positively abroad. Majara noted that education and human development remain critical to Lesotho’s progress.
Speaking on behalf of the scholarship recipients, student Lehlohonolo Mahao described the scholarships as an investment in both personal education and the broader relationship between the two nations. “For a country like mine, Lesotho, China’s support has been transformative — opening doors to knowledge, skills and opportunities that empower us to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s growth,” Mahao said. He added that the experience would allow the students to acquire qualifications and practical knowledge that could be applied upon their return.
The students’ departure coincides with China’s designation of 2026 as the “China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges” and aligns with Lesotho’s 60th anniversary of independence. The delegation’s journey underscores the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in education, infrastructure, health, agriculture, trade and emerging technologies.
Article and image source: lestimes.com
