1.Bilateral political relations
On 12 January 1994, the Basutoland Congress Government of Lesotho resumed diplomatic relations with China. Since the resumption of diplomatic relations, relations between the two countries have developed smoothly.
The main Chinese visits to Lesotho include: Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing (2005), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of the China-Africa People's Friendship Association Abulahat Abdurixit (2007), Director of the State Intellectual Property Office Tian Lipu (2007), State Councilor Wang Yong (December 2019), and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (December 2023).
The main visits to China by Lesotho are: His Majesty King Letsie III (attended the Lesotho National Pavilion Day at the Shanghai World Expo in 1999 and 2010), Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili (attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2001, 2005 and 2006, and attended the closing ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo in 2010), Prime Minister Thomas Thabane (attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2018 and paid an official visit to China), and Prime Minister Sam Matekane (attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024).
In November 2016, the Lesotho government publicly released a policy document on China, reiterating its firm support for China on issues such as Taiwan, Xi Zang and the South China Sea, with its willingness to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
In October 2022, Prime Minister Sam Matekane, leader of Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), sent a letter congratulating General Secretary Xi Jinping on his re-election. In January 2024, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho on the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Lesotho.
2. Bilateral economic and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation
Since 1983, China has completed a complete set of projects to aid Lesotho, including the National Convention Center, the Parliament Building, the Industrial Park, and the National Library and Archives, as well as technical cooperation projects such as vegetable planting, biogas technical guidance, and Juncao planting. China has also provided food aid to Lesotho on several occasions.
In 2024, the bilateral trade volume will be US$153 million, a year-on-year increase of 18.4%, of which China's exports will be US$124 million, a year-on-year increase of 20.4%, and imports will be US$29 million, a year-on-year increase of 10.3%.
3. Bilateral exchanges in the fields of culture, education, and health
The first batch of Chinese medical teams went to Lesotho in April 1997 and has sent 18 batches of 193 people. Lesotho is a destination country for Chinese citizens to travel abroad.
4. Important agreements and documents
On 31 December 1993, China and Lesotho signed the Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Lesotho on the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations.
On June 1, 2018, China and Lesotho signed the Framework Agreement on Economic, Trade, Investment and Technical Cooperation between the Governments of the Two Countries.
On June 25, 2019, China and Lesotho signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.