…as Chinese Wu Opera performers showcase centuries-old cultural heritage in Maseru
Moroke Sekoboto
THE People’s Republic of China has commended Lesotho for its commitment to modernisation, improving national governance, strengthening economic resilience and enhancing the well-being of its people.
Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, made the remarks at a Chinese cultural event at Maseru Avani on Friday, where a visiting troupe performed Wu Opera, a traditional Chinese art form dating back more than four centuries.
The Chinese cultural performance showcased the richness of traditional Chinese arts through Wu Opera, instrumental music and puppetry. Highlights included “Goddess of Heaven Scatters Flowers”, featuring graceful dance and operatic movements inspired by ancient mythology, and “Lyu Bu Tries the Horse”, which demonstrated impressive acrobatics, tumbling and martial arts. The Huihu solo “Hui Tune” offered audiences distinctive melodies from traditional Hui Opera. “Dang Ma” combined dramatic storytelling with spectacular stage combat, while the “Zhong Kui” puppet performance showcased intricate craftsmanship. The programme concluded with “Golden Monkey Celebrates Spring”, celebrating the legendary Monkey King’s bravery and loyalty.
Mr Yang said Basotho had made tremendous efforts over the past six decades to safeguard their independence, build their nation and pursue a development path suited to their national circumstances.
“Lesotho has made progress in political, economic, social and cultural development, while preserving the traditions and cultural heritage that form an important part of the Basotho identity,” Mr Yang said.
He said Chinese President, Xi Jinping, had sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty King Letsie III on 4 October, conveying his warmest congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of Lesotho on the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
According to Mr Yang, President Xi’s message recognised Lesotho’s efforts since independence to pursue modernisation while improving governance, strengthening economic resilience and promoting the welfare of its citizens.
He said China and Lesotho had maintained a longstanding friendship as strategic partners, based on sincerity and equality.
“Our cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. President Xi attaches great importance to the development of China-Lesotho relations, and stands ready to work closely with His Majesty to further deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership to new heights, so as to better serve the interests and well-being of our two peoples,” Mr Yang said.
He said the two countries’ independence and national anniversaries provided an opportunity to reflect on their development journeys and aspirations for the future.
“This year, China is also celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Our two countries have different histories and national circumstances, but these anniversaries share an important meaning: they remind us of the determination of our peoples to shape our own future, pursue development and build a better life,” Mr Yang said.
He added that the 60th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence was not merely a milestone but also an opportunity to chart the country’s future development.
“Sixty years is therefore not only a milestone. It is also a new starting point. Looking ahead, all countries face the common task of pursuing development and modernisation while preserving peace, security and their own cultural identity,” he said.
Mr Yang said President Xi had proposed the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative and Global Governance Initiative as part of efforts to address shared challenges facing countries.
He also highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage while allowing traditional practices to evolve in response to contemporary realities.
“As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, countries need to fully harness the relevance of their histories and cultures to the present times and push for the creative transformation and innovative development of their fine traditional cultures,” he said.
Mr Yang said this approach was linked to Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, which promotes cultural confidence while encouraging openness and inclusivity.
He said understanding the history of Chinese civilisation was essential to preserving and developing its cultural traditions while building a modern Chinese civilisation.
“This underscores the importance of preserving a nation’s cultural heritage while ensuring that its fine traditions continue to develop with the times. Cultural confidence and openness to other civilisations are mutually reinforcing: a strong appreciation of one’s own heritage can provide a sound foundation for engaging with other cultures on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” Mr Yang said.
He further noted that 2026 had been designated the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, creating opportunities to strengthen relations between China and African countries through cultural and social interaction.
“People-to-people exchanges are an important bridge between countries and peoples. They help us move beyond geographical distance and differences in history and culture, deepen mutual understanding and friendship, and bring our peoples closer together,” he said.
Mr Yang said cultural events such as the Wu Opera performance were not simply entertainment but also opportunities for people from different backgrounds to learn about one another and build lasting relationships.
He said cultural exchanges had long been an important component of relations between Lesotho and China, helping bring their people closer together.
“Tonight, our Chinese artists are here to share a treasured part of China’s cultural heritage — Wu Opera from Zhejiang Province, a traditional form of Chinese opera with a history of more than four centuries. Combining singing, music, dance, expressive movements and acrobatic skills, Wu Opera offers a vibrant expression of China’s traditional performing arts,” he said.
Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, said Chinese programmes had created valuable opportunities for Basotho through training, capacity-building, education, professional development and exchange programmes.
He said the initiatives had contributed to developing human capacity in Lesotho and strengthened cooperation between the two countries.
“As the Ministry responsible for Arts and Culture, we particularly value the opportunities extended to Basotho in the cultural and creative industries. Exposure to new skills, knowledge, technologies and international experiences is invaluable to our artists and cultural practitioners,” Mr Lesaoana said.
He said such opportunities strengthened the professional capabilities of local artists, broadened their horizons and enabled them to contribute to cultural development, tourism and the creative economy.
Mr Lesaoana also expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Chinese people towards Basotho, saying relations between the two countries extended beyond governments and institutions.
“The relationship between our two countries is not simply a relationship between governments and institutions, it is increasingly a relationship that is being strengthened through meaningful connections between our peoples,” he said.
Reflecting on the history of cultural cooperation, Mr Lesaoana said Lesotho and China had enjoyed meaningful exchanges, particularly from the early 2000s and in the years preceding the Covid-19 pandemic.
These included exchanges of performing troupes, with Basotho artists travelling to China to showcase their music, dance and cultural heritage, while Chinese groups visited Lesotho to share their traditions.
Mr Lesaoana said the exchanges had provided opportunities for artists from both countries to learn from one another, establish friendships and deepen mutual understanding.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, also commended President Xi for promoting cooperation among nations and people-to-people exchanges.
Mr Sekhamane said international relations should be grounded in solidarity and a shared commitment to protecting humanity, rather than discrimination.
“Let us not discriminate against humanity. Humanity is to cooperate, unite and to defend humanity,” he said.
He observed that despite China being the world’s second-largest economy, it continued to identify with developing countries and promote engagement with them.
“China embraces people-to-people exchanges. We may form treaties, but if people don’t come together, we may not achieve peace,” Mr Sekhamane said.