On November 8, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda held a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Rwanda. H.E. Rao Hongwei, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Hon. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, Hon. Francis Gatare, Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Ms. Radegonde Ndejuru, Senior Advisor to the First Lady, Mr. Phillip Karenzi, Director General of Asia & Pacific of MINAFFET, other Rwandan officials, as well as representatives of Chinese enterprises in Rwanda, Chinese medical team, Confucius Institute and Chinese communities in Rwanda participated in the event. Ms. Xing Yuchun, Political Counselor of the Embassy emceed the event. The reception enjoyed friendly and warm atmosphere, and strictly followed local epidemic prevention policies.
The reception began with the majestic national anthems of Rwanda and China. H.E. Rao Hongwei said in his speech that, Since China and Rwanda established diplomatic relations on November 12th, 1971, especially since China entered the era of reform and opening up and the liberation of Rwanda, our bilateral relations have drastically developed. Two countries respect each other and treat each other as equals, have developed high-level political mutual trust and supported each other in international affairs. Two countries have developed closer economic and trade cooperation, and expanded people-to-people exchanges. The "people-centered" concept of the Communist Party of China and the "citizen-centered" concept of the Rwandan Patriotic Front are highly compatible. The friendship between China and Rwanda is not an accidental choice, but the result of like-mindedness.
H.E. Rao pointed out that China-Rwanda relations are at their best in history. In July 2018, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Rwanda, the results of which have been successively translated to concrete actions and tangible benefits, injecting strong momentum to the development of our relations. Two countries have been committed to advance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with cross-border e-commerce being a new highlight, cooperation in digital economy just unfolding. Furthermore, the two countries have helped each other in the fight against COVID-19. China has donated to Rwanda 500,000 doses of COVID vaccine and many PPEs.
H.E. Rao said, China is marching toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. Meanwhile, Rwanda is striving to realize “Vision 2050”. He firmly believes that the two countries will strengthen the collaboration and synergy between national development goals, further deepen practical cooperation for the benefits of two peoples, and compose a new chapter of friendship that goes beyond thousands of hills and rivers.
Hon. Minister Biruta extended his warm congratulations to the 50th anniversary of Rwanda-China relations. Minister Biruta said, he would like to appreciate the Government of China's contribution to the development of Rwanda in key sectors spanning from investment, infrastructure, education, health, trade, and agriculture. Supported by the increasing high-level political interaction and exchanges, Rwanda and China’s bonds of relationship have flourished at all levels. Rwanda is ready to continue working with China to explore new ways to further deepen relations and cooperation under existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks. Rwanda looks forward to working together towards the full implementation of the consensus of the 8th session of the Rwanda-China Joint Committee on Economy, Technical and Trade, in line with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and China's Belt and Road Initiative, to further strengthen and expand the long standing dynamic partnership and achieve maximum benefits of a south-south cooperation.
Wang Jiaxin, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Embassy, introduced the photo contest and the quiz contest held by the Embassy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Rwanda. He said that the events attracted active participation from Chinese and Rwandan citizens and received a number of outstanding works, reflecting the solid public opinion foundation of the friendly cooperative relationship between China and Rwanda.
Xinhua News Agency and mainstream local media houses including Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, The New Times, IGIHE, Kigali Today covered the event.
Please Note: for results of photo contest & quiz contest, see
http://rw.china-embassy.org/eng/xwdt/202111/t20211108_10445589.htm