Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages Friday with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

President Xi hailed the healthy and steady development of China-Rwanda ties over the half-century.

In recent years, both countries have maintained good momentum in friendly cooperation and deepened exchanges in various fields, improving the well-being of the two peoples, Xi said.

They have also stood by each other and worked together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, showing their friendship in times of need, he said.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and stands ready to work with Kagame to use the anniversary and the latest session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust and boost cooperation in such areas as the Belt and Road.

For his part, Kagame said the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries can be attributed to their common philosophy of mutual respect, solidarity, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He said China has provided support to his country through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative and other platforms, and played an important and positive role in the national transformation process of Rwanda.

The African country will continue to expand and strengthen friendship and cooperation with China in various fields, he added.

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Rwanda, China mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations

50 years of Rwanda-China relation