President Paul Kagame, yesterday, received Zhang Dejiang, the chairperson of the National People’s Congress of China who was in the country for a two day visit.

Following the courtesy call, Zhang attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a government office complex that will, in the next two years, house the Prime Minister’s office, among other government institutions.

Symbolising the strong ties enjoyed by the two nations, the complex will form part of the government plan to end the use of rented space by government agencies in the next three years, according to the Minister for Infrastructure James Musoni. 

The building will cost an estimated $37million (about Rwf28bn) and will have the capacity to host 1,100 government employees.

Formal cooperation between Rwanda and China was initiated in 1971 and has grown stronger over the past years with both countries working together for shared prosperity.

In 2014, bilateral trade between the two countries was estimated at $207 million with imports from China dominating the exchange.

Musoni said the partnership has seen China facilitate Rwanda’s development through grants and low interest loans that have gone into developing sectors such as agriculture and road construction, among others.

The visit by Zhang, who ranks third most powerful in the political system of China, was to further enhance mutual political trust, positively evaluate the bilateral relations and cooperation achievements, and extend cooperation across fields.

The visit was also a key part of implementation of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held last December.

At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a three-year $60-billion China’s aid to Africa, which includes a $5-billion package that African countries will access in grants and zero interest loans.

From the package, other than the office complex, Rwanda is expected to see Masaka Hospital upgraded and a 54-kilometre road network in Kigali constructed.

Commenting on the visit by Zhang, Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the visit played a crucial role in advancing the relations between the two countries.

"The visit had a dual goal, to advance the already excellent relations between the two countries, including collaboration on global matters, and on the other hand to follow up on the China-Africa Summit that took place in Johannesburg last December, where China’s President Xi Jinping rolled out for the continent a stepped up cooperation plan,” the minister said.

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