Rwandans confident in the prospect of further ties with China

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's signing of an article on China-Rwanda relations has received positive reviews from both the Rwandan media and its public.

In an editorial named "Rwandans should make the most of ties with China" on the website of The New Times, Rwanda's mainstream media outlet which also published Xi's article on July 21, the author highly praised Xi's remarks on the friendship between China and Rwanda, citing the Chinese proverb "Good friends feel close to each other even when they are thousands of miles away" used by Xi in the article.

The editorial also pointed out that the highlight of Xi's visit is that as many as 15 agreements across a diverse range of sectors are expected to be signed.

The editorial also said China represents a lucrative market for Rwandan businesses in particular, urging people of both countries to take advantage of this relationship.

March 24, 2016: Zhang Dejiang (2nd R), former chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, and Rwandan Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi, attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a China-aided government complex in Kigali, Rwanda. /Xinhua Photo

President Xi's article also places importance on people-to-people friendship. It reads "the rich and diverse people-to-people exchanges between our two sides have led to a growing interest in China and Chinese culture among the Rwandan people."

Charles Murigande, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Rwanda said he felt really honored that Xi mentioned the Confucius Institute at his university in the article.

According to the article, the number of registered students in the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda is approaching 5,000.

The Rwanda Kung Fu/Wushu Federation has also been mentioned in Xi's article.

The federation's president Uwiragiye Marc said he was so thrilled at reading his federation's name in the article, emphasizing that there's a huge potential for the development of Wushu in Rwanda.

Screenshot of Xi's signed article on The New Times.

Marc said his federation's goal is to expand Wushu's influence in Rwanda, and to make his country the center for the promotion of the spirit of Wushu in East Africa or even on the African continent.

Ordinary Rwandan citizens are also reacting affirmatively to Xi's article.

A passer-by with the first name of Norbert told China Central Television that "the article was well written" and "demonstrated his (Xi's) interest and his knowledge about Rwanda."

Norbert added that the article also contained "very encouraging words on the future of the relationship between Rwanda and China."