The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (8th Ministerial conference) was held last November and marked a historic moment in China-Africa relations. Chinese and African leaders agreed, at the conference, to synergize Belt and Road cooperation with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of individual African countries, to build a China-Africa community with a shared future that features mutual benefit and common development.
FOCAC was founded by Chinese companies that have built or upgraded more than 10,000 kms of railways for Africa, nearly 100,000 kms of highways, 100 ports, and more than 80 large power plants. Chinese companies have also assisted African countries to build more 130 medical facilities, over 170 schools, as well as trained more 160,000 professionals in various fields.
The achievements of China-Africa cooperation are visible across Africa today and can be felt in local communities as well as families. FOCAC, which has been in existence for 20 years, has become a key platform for dialogue between China and Africa and an effective mechanism to facilitate practical cooperation between the two countries. It is also a model for South and South cooperation thanks to its role as a hub for international development cooperation.
Solidarity and mutual assistance between China and Africa have not only consolidated Africa’s independent political status, but also enhanced Africa’s sustainable development capacity, presenting a magnificent picture of China-Africa friendship.
After the 8th FOCAC ministerial conference, China and Africa have overcome the impact of the pandemic, implemented the “The Nine Programs”, which aims to foster internal growth drivers in Africa and promote quality and effective China-Africa cooperation. China and Africa surpassed US$250 billion in bilateral trade last year, which was a record for the 13th consecutive year.
China-Africa cooperation is making great progress every day, opening up new horizons and creating new opportunities for friendship. It also creates new opportunities for mutual development and bringing benefits to both the Chinese and African people.
China-Rwanda’s cooperation is a sign of mutual understanding and mutual assistance and is a fine example in South-South collaboration. The China-Rwanda ties show the mutual desire of both civilizations to create a common force for development for the benefit of both peoples.
Rwanda is currently pursuing Vision 2050 under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. This vision aims to create an economically prosperous and high-income society by 2050. China and Rwanda are friendly partners of cooperation and seek to cooperate in all areas of infrastructure, quality, industrialization and manpower skills development. Technology transfer is also an option. The tangible projects that have transformed Rwandan landscapes include the New Bugesera International airport Expressway Project and 200-Borehole Well Project, Nyabarongo 2 Hydropower Plant Project, IPRC Musanze Extension Project, and Nyabarongo II Hydraulic Plant Project.
The projects mentioned above are an example of the indelible impact of deep cooperation between China & Rwanda.
Rwanda’s friendly trade environment is fostering trade development. The rapid growth in bilateral trade between China, Rwanda, and China over the past few years has strongly supported the creation of a new paradigm for development.
The bilateral trade between the countries reached a record high of more than US$364 millions by 2021. This was 13.4% higher than the same period last year. However, the two countries still face long-standing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both the Chinese and Rwandan governments have been determined to accelerate the development of new business collaboration forms and models in order to create new growth drivers for bilateral commerce. The two sides continue to strengthen their trade cooperation with potential markets.
China and Rwanda signed a memorandum for cooperation on ecommerce. Since then, live streaming in ecommerce such an innovative sales pattern based upon the Electronic World Trade Platform has significantly boosted Rwandan exports. The exports of coffee have increased by 40 percent over the past two years.
China received last year the first shipment of dried chili originating from Rwanda. It was the first African country that had entered the Chinese market. China will offer duty-free treatment to Rwandan goods imported from China in September. This will strengthen the economic and trade relationships between the two countries.
Both sides continue to promote the import and trade of quality goods, trade integration and unimpeded commerce and work together to achieve the goal of stabilizing bilateral trade and improving its quality.
The Coordinators’ Meeting on the implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the 8th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC will be held soon this month. With the joint efforts of China as well as all members of FOCAC, the meeting will strengthen the exchanges of the implementation of “The Nine Prograns” and promote the cooperation projects, making new contribution to mutual benefit and common development between China and Rwanda, as well as China and Africa.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda is the writer
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
Source: rnewtimes
