Just prior to President Xi's visit, we sat down with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. He said he values China's development experiences. Yang Zhao has more.

Rwanda is welcoming the first Chinese top leader to visit. It's a reciprocal visit. Host President Paul Kagame visited China last year.

PAUL KAGAME RWANDAN PRESIDENT "I visited China last March and received a warm reception by President Xi Jinping. We 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 science and technology area. We continue to see the cooperation grow, it's going to grow in other sectors as well."

Rwanda has witnessed rapid economic development, as well as social stability and effective governance in recent years. And part of that is the result of learning from the experiences of various countries, including China. President Kagame calls Xi Jinping reform-minded, saying his practice of fighting corruption makes China strong.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China has been actively endorsed by Rwanda, and added to the country's to-do list.

PAUL KAGAME RWANDAN PRESIDENT "I think the philosophy from which this cooperation connecting is very important. It's very good. Through cooperation, China as a nation works with other countries, to help others to grow up. It contributes to China itself. Africa benefits. China benefits. We all advance like it has been for many years."

As the rotating chair of the African Union, Kagame hopes the trip will bring China and Africa even closer. YZ, CGTN.