China, Rwanda vow to write new chapter in bilateral ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda, July 23, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei]

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in a bid to bring more benefits to the Chinese, Rwandan and African people.

In their talks, the two leaders spoke highly of the growth of bilateral ties over the past 47 years since their countries established diplomatic relations.

CRI's Yu Yang has the story.

President Xi Jinping recalled his meeting with President Kagame in Beijing in March 2017, during which they reached extensive consensus on promoting bilateral relations and friendly cooperation, and brought China-Rwanda ties to a fast track of development.

Xi Jinping says Beijing is willing to work with Kigali to translate their traditional friendship into concrete benefits for the two countries and the two peoples, and open a new chapter in their friendly cooperative relations.

"China and Rwanda should view their ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective, firmly support each other independently choosing their own development paths, and keep mutual understanding and support on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. The two countries should strengthen the link between their respective development strategies, give full play to their complementary advantages, and carry out pragmatic cooperation in more areas and at deeper levels."

He says China welcomes Rwanda's participation in the international cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and encourages more Chinese investment in Rwanda to help advance the African country's industrialization and modernization.

Calling the African Union a banner guiding African countries to solidarity and cooperation, Xi Jinping says China always supports the AU in playing a leading role in promoting peace and development in Africa and playing a bigger role in regional and global affairs.

Kagame calls China a reliable friend who shares weal and woe with Africa.

"I wish to commend China's valuable partnership and vital contributions to social-economic development in African continent. And we are looking forward to the upcoming Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2018, which will provide a good platform to assess the progress already made and consolidate the gains to the benefit of our citizens."

The Rwandan president has also expressed his hope to strengthen exchanges with China on state governance and deepen win-win cooperation on bilateral as well as multilateral platforms.

As the AU's rotating chairman, Kagame stressed that China's long-standing firm support is of great value to Africa's development.

After their talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple agreements on bilateral cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative and other areas.