On 16th November 2021 Rt. Hon. Dr. Edouard Ngirente, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda virtually addressed the fourth Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation (CALGC) organized by Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

The Government of Rwanda commends the continued cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and Africa through various platforms including the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

This year’s forum is taking place at a time when Rwanda and China are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of bilateral cooperation that started in November 1971.

“Our bilateral cooperation with China has played a significant role in the transformation of our key development sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, ICT, trade, mining, transport, as well as tourism,” Rt Hon. Ngirente noted.

He said that, China and Africa have worked hand in hand to strategically develop political and socio-economic ties, and now, China is ranked among the top largest investors in Africa. This has created many opportunities and jobs for our respective peoples. 

Despite the challenging times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said, the strategic partnership between China and Africa has continued to be reinforced in many areas of mutual interest. 

“We have benefited from China’s solidarity in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, China is one of Africa’s biggest suppliers of personal protective equipment in fighting Covid-19.”

“In a bid to further cement our existing friendship and local government cooperation, our two countries, Rwanda and China have started to implement city to city cooperation to enable people-to-people relations, cultural exchange and socio-economic development,” he said. 

According to the Prime Minister, the CALGC forum highlights the commitment from both China and Africa to deepen relations beyond the usual framework and include local governments that are the backbone in delivering essential services to citizens.

The CPAFFC is an organization of the People's Republic of China that manages China's sister city relationships with foreign countries. 

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