China and Rwanda commit to strengthen bilateral relations as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations

By Staff writer 

Rwanda foreign affairs Minister Vincent Biruta and Chinese ambassador to Rwanda H.E Rao Hongwei. Photo: courtesy 

Rwanda and China committed to strengthen bilateral relations as the two countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relation yesterday Nov. 8, 2021. Marking ther event at Chinese embassy in Kigali, Minister Biruta and Ambassador RAo Hongwei praised good relations between the two countries and the mutual trust. 

Minister Biruta appreciated the Government of China’s multidimensional contribution to the development of Rwanda in key sectors spanning from investment, infrastructure, ICT, mining, air transport, education and capacity building, health, trade, tourism, agriculture, defence and security, and others. China currently ranks among the top largest investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors, Minister Biruta noted. 

Minister Biruta thanked the Chinese government for donating 500,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, noting that the vaccines have and will continue to greatly contribute to the shared ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“In the coming days, China and Rwanda will besigning the Protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of Stevia from Rwanda to China; Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and an agreement for friendly exchange relationship between Musanze District and Jinhua City to cement further our friendship and cooperation,” Minister Biruta further said. 

Since November 12th 1971, and more particularly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, China and Rwanda have worked hand in hand to strategically develop our political and socio-economic ties.

The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda H.E RaoHongwei highlighted that the two countries treat each other as equals. “We respect each other and treat each other as equals. Our leaders H.E.President Xi Jinping and H.E.President Paul Kagame met frequently, and exchanges at various levels continued in recent years. We developed high-level political mutual trust, making bilateral relations as stable as a great rock in the face of any changes in the international situation.”

Ambassador Hongwei added that, the friendship between China and Rwanda is not an accidental choice, but the result of like-mindedness. “We both maintain that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal. We both cherish national sovereignty and independence, and resolutely oppose any interferencein our internal affairs by any country or external forces.” 

China and Rwanda firmly believe that, “path and system that suit our national conditions are the best. The people of our two countries share characteristics of being strong, unyielding, optimistic, hardworking, and kind-hearted. Those commonalities have brought about our profound friendship over the past 50 years and laid a solid foundation for further development of ourrelations in the years to come,” Ambassador Hongweiemphasized.

Rwanda has become the first African country to export dried chili to China, with 50,000 tons of dried chili expected to be exported to China in the next 5 years. More high-quality agricultural produce from Rwanda are expected to “meet” China’s giant market, Chinese ambassador informed the audience. 

President Xi Jinping pointed out, that China-Rwanda friendship is an epitome of China-Africa friendship. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the “Global Development Initiative” and “the Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development” represent important platforms for China and Rwanda to deepen comprehensive cooperation, Ambassador Hongweisaid. 

Ambassador Rao Hongwei also noted that China will strengthen cooperation with Rwanda for mutual benefit, win-win outcome and common development. China will join hands with Rwanda to build a community with a shared future for the two countries, and for China and Africa at large.

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