On September 27, 2019, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong attended and addressed the reception marking the independence day of Lesotho held by the Embassy of Lesotho in China upon invitation.

Congratulating Lesotho on the 53rd anniversary of its independence in his speech, Chen Xiaodong said, China and Lesotho have enjoyed sound and stable development of bilateral relations, increasingly enhanced political mutual trust, constantly expanded friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation, and maintained sound communication and coordination on international and regional affairs. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Lesotho side to promote better implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Lesotho, and jointly build an even stronger community with a shared future between China and Lesotho as well as between China and Africa.

Chen Xiaodong also exchanged views on bilateral relations with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Nthabiseng Makoae of Lesotho who came to China for the event, and Ambassador of Lesotho to China Lechoo Setenane.