Heads of State and Government as well as representatives of over 150 countries are set to meet in Beijing from April 25-27 for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative is a project that was designed by China seeking to link the Asian giant with Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe through transport networks by road and sea. Wang Yi, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, said Friday that this year’s forum – set to be held under the theme “Belt and Road cooperation, shaping a Brighter Shared Future” – will be an opportunity to promote high-quality cooperation. African countries are active participants in Belt and Road Initiative. During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Rwanda in July, the two countries signed partnerships seeking to expand their cooperation under the framework of the initiative. China is one of Rwanda’s leading trading partners and a major source of Kigali’s foreign investments. According to Wangi, in addition to the leaders’ roundtable meeting, and numerous side events, there are at least 12 sub-forums focusing on practical cooperation and a global business interface involving about 800 participants. So far, 126 countries and 26 international organisations, including 37 African countries that have signed up to the project, are set to participate. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
