Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Rwanda on Sunday for the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the East African nation.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed at the start of the state visit by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his wife Jeannette Kagame.

At the airport, a group of local people in colorful clothes performed dances and beat drums to greet the honored Chinese guests.

In his cordial talks with Kagame, Xi sent sincere greetings and good wishes to the Rwandan government and the Rwandan people on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Noting that he is the first Chinese head of state to pay a visit to Rwanda, Xi said he felt the friendship of the Rwandan government and the people towards the Chinese people as soon as he set foot on the country's soil.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 47 years ago, China and Rwanda have treated each other as equals with sincerity and friendship, Xi said, adding that bilateral ties have undergone healthy and steady development.

Xi recalled that during Kagame's visit to China in March 2017, they had an in-depth exchange of views on advancing bilateral ties and cooperation of mutual benefits, adding that their consensus has seen comprehensive implementation.

The fact that the two heads of state have visited each other's country within slightly more than a year indicates the great importance both sides have attached to deepening their ties, Xi said.

The Chinese president said he expects to have deep discussions with Kagame, who is the rotating chairman of the African Union, on China-Rwanda ties, China-Africa cooperation and other regional and international issues of common concern.

Xi said he believes the trip will deliver fruitful results.

Kagame extended a warm welcome to Xi on behalf of the Rwandan government and people.

He believed Xi's visit to Rwanda will further push forward the two countries' friendly cooperation.

Kagame also spoke highly of China's reform process and the Belt and Road Initiative during an interview with CGTN. The Initiative proposed by China has been actively endorsed by Rwanda and added to the country's to-do list.

"I visited China last March and received a warm reception by President Xi Jinping. We have held very successful talks. In fact, the ties between China and Rwanda and the relationship between China and Africa is getting closer and stronger. Young people from our countries are studying in universities in China, in the science and technology area. We continue to see the cooperation grow, it's going to grow in other sectors as well," he said.

The Chinese president arrived in Kigali after finishing a state visit to Senegal.

Senegalese President Macky Sall and his wife Marieme saw Xi and his wife off at the airport.

On his departure, Xi said the visit to Senegal was very successful, efficient and pragmatic, and will further promote the development of China-Senegal ties.

Sall described the trip as a complete success and had achieved fruitful results. He also expressed the hope to meet with Xi on a frequent basis.

Rwanda is the third stop of Xi's first overseas trip after being re-elected Chinese president in March. He first traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Xi will also pay a state visit to South Africa where he is scheduled to attend the 10th BRICS summit, and visit Mauritius during a stopover.‍