KIGALI - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Sunday for a state visit to Rwanda, the first by a Chinese head of state to the African country.
Upon their arrival, Xi and his wife, PengLiyuan, were warmly received by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his wife Jeannette Kagame.
At the airport, a group of local people in colorful clothes with distinctive ethnic features performed dances and beat drums to greet the honored Chinese guests.
In his cordial talks with Kagame, Xi sent sincere greetings and good wishes to the Rwandan government and the Rwandan people on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people.
Noting that he is the first Chinese head of state to pay a visit to Rwanda, Xi said he has felt the friendship of the Rwandan government and the people towards the Chinese people soon as he set foot on the country’s soil.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 47 years ago, China and Rwanda have treated each other as equals with sincerity and friendship, Xi said, adding that bilateral ties have undergone healthy and steady development. Xi recalled that during Kagame’s visit to China in March 2017, they had an in-depth exchange of views on advancing bilateral ties and cooperation of mutual benefits, adding that their consensus has seen comprehensive implementation. (Xinhua)