Maseru — The People's Republic of China has granted Lesotho M20 million for the construction of the National Library and Archives and the extension of the radio and television network in Lesotho. The two countries also signed an extradition treaty that would facilitate exchange of law- breakers and prisoners.

The grant was made under the economic and technical cooperation between the governments of Lesotho and China during the visit of Foreign Minister, Mohlabi Tsekoa to China from November 2-11, 2003.

During his visit, Tsekoa acknowledged the strengthening relations and deepening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of health, investment, culture, military, human resources development and information and technology.

Tsekoa called for an enhanced partnership with China, which would cover new areas such as agriculture, health, especially the HIV/AIDS treatment and the supply of anti-retroviral and related medicines. Other areas would include land reclamation and afforestation, economic infrastructure, environment, tourism and others.

Tsekoa also solicited the support and assistance of the Chinese government in the proposed construction of Lesotho's new Parliament Buildings in the next two to three years' time. The current Parliament Building was constructed in 1959.