On December 31, 2004, the official Handing-over Ceremony of the 2,000 metric tons of yellow maize donated by the Government of the People's Republic of China was held at Ha-Ralejoe in the District of Maseru. Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs of theKingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Monyane Moleleki, H.E. the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Qiu Bohua signed on the Handing-over Certificate on behalf of the two governments and made remarks. Honorable Minister of Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Rammotsi Lehata as well as hundreds of local people attended the ceremony.

Mr. Moleleki said that ever since the two countries re-established diplomatic relations, China has assisted Lesotho with a series of whole plants and materials, which greatly supported the economic development of Lesotho. The donation of yellow maize further demonstrated that the two peoples are friends in adversity. Mr. Moleleki reiterated that the Lesotho government firmly sticks to one China policy and supports the great cause of reunification of China. He said that since Lesotho has once suffered from losing some of its territory, it understands why China will never allow Taiwan to split from Motherland better than any other one and any other country. He also told the people at present that Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Li Zhaoxing would pay a visit to Lesotho, which is a significant event for Lesotho, and the Basotho people are looking forward to welcoming Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Li.

Mr. Qiu said that while China and Lesotho are geographically far apart from each other, the hearts of the Chinese people and Basotho people are closely linked together. He hoped that the yellow maize would be send to the people as soon as possible to relieve their starvation.

It is summer in Lesotho and the people in the village are short of food, so they were all very grateful for Chinese government's timely help and kept singing and dancing to the friendship of the two countries.