On 4th July 2025, the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in China was joined by officials from the Government of China, diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations, and friends of Rwanda to commemorate the 31st Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation (Kwibohora 31).

Speaking at the event, Ambassador James Kimonyo emphasized that Liberation Day is a time to honor the heroes who liberated the country and those who sacrificed their lives for the cause. He highlighted that Rwanda’s remarkable progress over the past 31 years is the result of a collective effort by the Rwandan people, guided by the visionary leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame.

“Liberation is a day when we acknowledge the pain, loss, and suffering that defined generations. But it is also a day when we turn our eyes forward and celebrate the incredible strength and determination that allowed us to rebuild, rise, and thrive once again,” the Ambassador stated.

He expressed appreciation to partner countries and international organizations for their continued support throughout Rwanda’s development journey.

“I express our deepest gratitude to our partners who have stood by us, providing both material and moral support throughout this journey. In particular, I wish to extend our special appreciation to the People’s Republic of China, Your Excellences’ respective countries, and various international organizations for their unwavering and invaluable contributions.”

Ambassador Lei Kezhong, representative from the government of the People’s Republic of China who was also in attendance, praised Rwanda’s extraordinary transformation over the past 31 years and reaffirmed China’s commitment to continued cooperation and support.

He spoke highly of the leadership of Rwanda under H.E. President Paul Kagame which spearheaded unparalleled transformation in the last 3 decades. 

“Rwanda has a long-standing history, beautiful scenery, and hard-working people. Under the leadership of President Kagame, the Rwandan government and people have actively taken control of their own destiny, successfully charted a development path suited to the country’s national conditions and have continuously taken solid steps toward the realization of Vision 2050,” Ambassador Lei noted.

He also highlighted the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, stating that, “Last year in September, during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping successfully met with President Paul Kagame. The two sides unanimously agreed to upgrade the China–Rwanda relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”

The celebration featured a video highlighting Rwanda’s transformation journey over the past 31 years, along with musical performances and traditional dances. These elements gave guests an opportunity to learn more about Rwanda’s liberation struggle and allowed Rwandans to reflect on the progress achieved and the road ahead.