China to tighten China-Africa relations

China will work with African countries to promote a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.  Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday May 22^nd 2012  told visiting Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Louise Mushikiwabo.

Yang invited Mushikiwabo to attend the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing this July, according to the press release provided by the foreign Ministry.

China and African countries, including Rwanda, will discuss new approaches and new initiatives to fully deepen the China-Africa friendship and cooperation at the conference, Yang said.

Mushikiwabo said African countries together with China have achieved positive results through pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the FOCAC, and Rwanda will actively participate in the Beijing conference.

Mushikiwabo thanked China for its support for Rwandan economic development, noting that the Rwandan side regards China as an important partner. Yang said China is ready to work with Rwanda to further develop bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

The two ministers also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. China and Rwanda established diplomatic relations on November 12, 1971and since then the friendly and cooperation relations saw a favorable development between the two countries.

The China-Rwanda relations are not only based on economic and trade promotion but also promoting culture through art and music.