Relations with Rwanda elevated

China supports Rwanda in taking its own independent development path and is willing to deepen exchanges of experience with the African nation regarding party and state governance, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday in Beijing when meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

During the talks, the two heads of state announced the decision to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

He added that the FOCAC summit has brought a historic opportunity for elevating bilateral friendly relations, and China is willing to implement the outcomes of the summit with Rwanda and strengthen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and satellite applications.

Beijing is also willing to work together for the success of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda and the Luban Workshop, and to drive the two countries' high-quality cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road to achieve more outcomes, Xi added.

China appreciates the positive role played by Rwanda in maintaining peace and security in Africa, and is willing to deepen cooperation with Rwanda in areas such as peacekeeping.

Kagame said he has vivid memories of Xi's historic visit to Rwanda in 2018, adding that the two nations share similar ideas and philosophies, and both advocate multilateralism and respect sovereignty and independence.

Rwanda firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China's national reunification, a position built on bilateral friendship and mutual understanding, he said.

Kagame said that Rwanda regards China as a friend and partner worthy of long-term trust, and his country is willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience, advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and work together to implement the three global initiatives put forward by Xi.