BRI provides opportunities for Rwanda, Africa: minister

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is providing real opportunities for Rwanda and other African countries, Rwanda's Minister of State in Charge of East African Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe said here Friday.

Nduhungirehe made the remarks at a reception held Friday by the Chinese embassy in Rwanda to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The initiative will help landlocked countries like Rwanda to have easier access to ports, boost Africa's economic development and accelerate its integration process, Nduhungirehe said.

The BRI provides a "real opportunity to address some of the serious constraints to our countries and Africa's sustainable economic transformation," he said.

China is actively working to support Africa's development agenda and its flagship projects such as the African Union reforms, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market, he said.

China has also shown support for Africa's positions on the global stage, especially at the United Nations Security Council, he added.

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei said that China is committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind through the BRI, and is more than willing to share development opportunities and achieve common prosperity with the rest of the world, especially African countries like Rwanda.

China and Rwanda are both advocates of independent, open and inclusive development, and are both dedicated to realizing their respective dreams -- this has deepened the two sides' understandings of each other's governance system, Rao said.

Since China and Rwanda established diplomatic ties 48 years ago, both countries have treated each other as equals and with sincerity and amity, he said.

The two countries now enjoy solid political mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning each other's interests. Practical cooperation has been thriving through various joint projects in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture, light manufacturing, mining, health, digitalization and human resources, he said.

Friday's reception included performances by Rwandan students from Fawe Girls School, players from Rwanda Kung-fu Wushu Federation, and Rwandan dancers together with a group of Chinese artists.