President Hu Jintao held talks with visiting Rwandan President
Paul Kagame on Monday, in which they vowed to pursue opportunities
created by the China-Africa summit and boost bilateral ties.
During their talks in the Great Hall of the People, the two
state leaders spoke highly of achievements in bilateral ties. Hu
said the two countries enjoy even closer contacts since Kagame came
to power, and cooperate in many areas.
Kagame singled out bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture
and infrastructure construction for special mention, adding his
country is ready to cement cooperation with China in areas such as
investment and communication.
The two presidents agreed to strengthen coordination in
international affairs and within the China-Africa Cooperation
Forum.
Kagame saluted China's support for Rwanda's social and economic
development over the years, reiterating his government's firm
adherence to the one-China policy.
In order to strengthen China-Rwanda all-round cooperation, Hu
suggested the two sides reinforce high-level visits and promote
cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, agriculture and
infrastructure.
China will encourage capable firms to invest in Rwanda, Hu said,
suggesting the two countries strengthen exchanges in culture,
science, education, health and sports.
He stressed China attaches great importance to the
implementation of the eight favorable policies towards Africa
announced at the Beijing summit last year.
The Chinese president also welcomed Rwanda's participation in a
China-Africa foreign ministers' political consultation session
scheduled during the UN Assembly in September this year.
The two countries signed five cooperation documents following
the talks, covering economic and technological cooperation, and
Chinese aid to Rwanda in other areas.
The Chinese government is to provide anti-malaria medicine to
Rwanda, and build two rural primary schools. China has also decided
to cancel some debts owed by Rwanda, according to the
documents.
These programs are concrete actions taken by China to implement
the eight favorable policies towards Africa announced by Hu at last
year's China-Africa summit.
The eight measures include the establishment of three to five
trade and economic cooperation zones in Africa in the next three
years, debt relief for African countries with diplomatic ties with
China, and the building of 30 hospitals and 30 centers for malaria
prevention and treatment.
This is Kagame's first state visit to China since taking office
as Rwandan president. He will attend the opening ceremony of the
annual board meeting of the African Development Bank in Shanghai on
Wednesday.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)
