An array of photo works from Xinhua News Agency, were yesterday exhibited in Kigali to mark 40 years of bilateral and diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China.

The event coincided with Xinhua’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

The photo exhibition, held at the Confucius Chinese Institute, showed scenes from the long partnership between the two countries. Among the key moments captured are those of President Paul Kagame’s visit to China, Rwanda’s delegation on the 28th Summer Olympic Games in Beijing and Rwanda’s national pavilion at Shanghai World Expo.

The photos also reflect China’s presence in various parts of Africa, especially its involvement in various development projects across the continent.

Speaking at the exhibition, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Evariste Kalisa, extolled the two countries’ ties describing them as "fruitful”.

"China and Rwanda have developed pragmatic and fruitful cooperation in economy, trade culture, education, healthcare and other areas,” Kalisa said.

He pointed out that Rwanda had received support from China before and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which continue up to date.

"Rwanda is learning from China in its rapid economic development. China’s lessons will facilitate Rwanda’s development agenda as stipulated in Vision 2020”.

According to the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Shu Zhan, over the past 40 years, the bilateral relations between the two countries have developed smoothly while people-to-people exchanges continued to expand.

Zhan explained that the establishment of the Xinhua News Agency office in Kigali is helping bridge the information gap between the two countries.

"We often detour to Western media to read and learn about each other, which can be misleading. Now, this new office may enhance the mutual knowledge and understanding between our two peoples,” the Ambassador said.

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