China shares development experiences to advance Africa's modernization, says Lesotho journalist

Motheba Tsunyane (first from right) learns to write Chinese characters with a brush during her reporting trip to China. (Photo courtesy of Motheba Tsunyane)

"During my visit to China, everywhere I went, I witnessed remarkable achievements in agricultural modernization, green industries and intelligent manufacturing. I was deeply impressed and eager to introduce these advanced development experiences to Lesotho," said Motheba Tsunyane, a correspondent for Lesotho News Agency, in an interview with People's Daily.

From August to December 2024, Tsunyane joined nearly 100 journalists from more than 80 countries on an extensive tour across China. The group visited farms and factories, gaining firsthand insight into the country's development trajectory. Her itinerary included learning about the development of the ice and snow economy in northeast China's Jilin Province, visiting a photovoltaic desert control project in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and covering the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. These experiences left a lasting impression on Tsunyane, deepening her understanding of China and broadening her perspective on pathways to modernization.

Tsunyane highlighted several examples that particularly resonated with her. In the Tengger Desert, local governments have harnessed solar energy resources to develop the photovoltaic industry while simultaneously installing straw checkerboard sand barriers beneath the solar panels to prevent wind erosion and restore vegetation. This integration of renewable energy development with ecological governance, she noted, offers valuable lessons.

Motheba Tsunyane receives a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. (Photo courtesy of Motheba Tsunyane)

In Jilin, the provincial government has leveraged the region's ice and snow resources to develop tourism, creating new economic growth drivers. As one of the few southern African countries with snowfall and ski facilities, Lesotho could benefit from China's experiences in developing the ice and snow industry, she noted. Tsunyane said she is committed to sharing these stories with readers back home.

During a visit to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences in Beijing, Tsunyane gained direct exposure to China's advanced agricultural technologies and modern farming equipment. "Enhancing agricultural efficiency and achieving agricultural modernization are key development priorities for Lesotho. There is vast potential for cooperation between Lesotho and China in areas such as agricultural mechanization and technology exchange," she said.

Tsunyane noted that the Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at the National University of Lesotho, officially inaugurated in April 2025, will provide Chinese language education alongside agricultural technology training tailored to local conditions. China consistently demonstrates a precise understanding of the development needs of African countries and provides targeted assistance, she observed.

Motheba Tsunyane tries a virtual reality headset. (Photo courtesy of Motheba Tsunyane)

"China continuously cultivates new business forms, creates innovative scenarios and generates novel services. Digital payments and e-commerce platforms deliver greater convenience to daily life, the ice and snow economy propels distinctive tourism development, widespread adoption of electric vehicles enables greener living, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence enhance production efficiency," Tsunyane said. Chinese modernization manifests across all aspects of society, benefiting every citizen, she stated.

What moved her even more, Tsunyane added, was China's commitment to leveraging its own experiences to advance the modernization processes of African nations. Through various initiatives, China provides a broad market for African products while actively pursuing cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development. "In my view, this represents the unique appeal of Chinese modernization," she concluded.