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Anti-Chinese sentiment wanes (Mopheme/The Survivor, Maseru, 03/10) - The Chinese community are to stay in Lesotho despite the anti- Chinese attitude that manifested itself during the political disturbances of 1998, Foreign Affairs Minister has said. Speaking at the occasion marking the 51st anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China at the Lesotho Sun Hotel, Thomas Thabane said the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Basotho people and the Chinese have been strengthened. "The bonds of friendship and cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho have not experienced commendable strengthening but they have been broaden to cover new areas", he said. Thabane said that last year, King Letsie III visit to China culminated with a provision of computer laboratory equipment and technical assistance to the National University of Lesotho (NUL). "We were also given four tractors and agricultural equipment from the Shanghai Tractors and internal Combustion Engine Corporation. Recently we completed a series of agricultural operations demonstrations with these tractors", he said. Thabane added that "it is the government’s strong belief that some day in the future these tractors will be assembled in Lesotho for the SADC sub-region and beyond, saying the government and people of Lesotho are very grateful for mutually beneficial cooperation that exist between the two countries." "This year, particular the month of October marks the 51st year of the founding of the people’s of China in Beijing on the 1 of October 1949", he said. According to him, the month of October is further made historic by the fact that in 1971, some 23 years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the United Nations General Assembly adopted at its session resolution by which it expelled representatives of the Taiwan authorities and restored the seat and all lawful rights of the Government of the people’s Republic of China in the United Nations. "The two events marked important milestones in China’s struggle for the restoration of its sovereignty.
To many of us who are students of history we will recall that the past 51 years have not been an easy period for the Chinese government and its people", he remarked. He added that despite the difficulties and challenges that confronted China, the leadership of that country never hesitated to extend a helping hand or to demonstrate a strong solidarity with many Africans when their countries were under colonialism. "It is in the light of this historical background that the Government and people of Lesotho look forward with great optimism to the forthcoming China- Africa Cooperation Forum to be convened in Beljing 1 of2 form the 10th to the 12th October, 2000. Speaking at the same occasion the Ambassador of China Zhang Xianyi said the two countries enjoyed good relations and with the bilateral relations of cooperation developing greatly in political, economic, technical, press, cultural, educational, public health and other fields. "The recent years saw the ever increasing exchange of visits by high level officials and frequent people-to-people contacts. I would like to stress that in developing friendly relations with China, the Government of Lesotho adheres to one China policy and supports the great cause of China’s reunification", he said. Xianyi added that the two countries are of the same view on a wide range of international issues and have very good cooperation in that regard, in which China always enjoys full support from the friendly Lesotho government. "The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the friendly relations. We are convinced that through the concerted efforts made by our two sides, the friendly relations and cooperation are bound to develop further in the new century", Xianyi has said.
SA diplomat murdered in Maseru (Sapa, Maseru, 14/10) - The consular officer at the SA High Commission in Maseru was murdered on the outskirts of the Lesotho capital last Wednesday. South Africa’s High Commissioner to Lesotho Japhet Ndlovu announced yesterday the news could only be made public after the official’s next of kin had been informed. Ndlovu said Ruben Nyangwe was stabbed to death at his home by two men. The assailants called on Nyangwe’s home apparently on the pretext of asking about a tenant who had previously lived there. Ndlovu said the announcement had been delayed because Nyangwe’s relatives did not have the documents required to leave South Africa. The high commissioner said two of the victim’s brothers travelled to Ladybrand by train from Umzimkhulu and by taxi to the Maseru border post. They were turned back at the border post by South African immigration officials as they had no identity documents. Ndlovu said his office had provided a driver to transport the brothers to Thaba Nchu where they were issued with identity documents by the South African home affairs department. Ndlovu was expected to meet the brothers in Maseru to make funeral arrangements.
Relatives of murdered official refused entry to Lesotho (City Press, Maseru, 05/10) - The consular officer at the SA High Commission in Maseru was murdered on the outskirts of the Lesotho capital last week Wednesday. South Africa's High Commissioner to Lesotho Japhet Ndlovu announced on Thursday that the news could only be made public after the official's next-of-kin had been informed. Ndlovu said Ruben Nyangwe was stabbed to death at his home by two men. The assailants called on Nyangwe's home apparently on the pretext of asking about a tenant who had previously lived there. Ndlovu said the announcement had been delayed because Nyangwe's relatives did not have the documents required to leave South Africa. The High Commissioner said two of the victim's brothers travelled to Ladybrand by train from Umzimkulu and travelled by taxi to the Maseru border post. They were turned back at the border post by South African immigration officials as they had no identity documents. Ndlovu said his office had provided a driver to transport the brothers to Thaba Nchu where they were issued with identity documents by the South African Home Affairs Department. Ndlovu was expected to meet the brothers in Maseru on Thursday night, when funeral arrangements would be made.
This page was last updated on 18 December 2000.