In a significant move, the Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced the elevation of China-Rwanda relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.
President Xi emphasized China's unwavering support for Rwanda's independent development path and expressed a strong commitment to deepening exchanges on governance, enhancing political mutual trust, and expanding shared modernization goals. He highlighted the historic opportunity presented by the FOCAC Summit to upgrade bilateral relations, focusing on cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, satellite applications, and other critical sectors.
Furthermore, Xi announced China's willingness to jointly operate the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda and the Luban Workshop, aiming to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two nations. He also acknowledged Rwanda's positive role in maintaining peace and security in Africa, committing to deeper collaboration in peacekeeping efforts.
President Kagame, reflecting on Xi's 2018 visit to Rwanda, underscored the shared values of multilateralism and respect for sovereignty that bind the two countries. He reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to the one-China policy and expressed support for China's national reunification efforts. Kagame extended his gratitude to China's leadership for fostering peace, security, and cooperation in Africa and reiterated Rwanda's dedication to strengthening governance exchanges and advancing practical cooperation.
Following their discussions, China and Rwanda issued a joint statement endorsing the implementation of three global initiatives: the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. The summit also saw the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements between the two countries, covering areas such as honey exports, digital and information communication, and media cooperation.
Reference(s):
China, Rwanda elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership
cgtn.com
