Remarks by Ambassador Wang Xuekun at the Chinese New Year Reception 2023
2023/01/13

Hon. Dr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,

Excellency Ambassadors and representatives from the diplomatic corps and international organizations,

Distinguished guests,

Fellow Chinese Community,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening! Mwriwe.晚上好。

Thank you all for honoring this reception to celebrate with us the upcoming Chinese New Year, Spring Festival.

The Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. It’s a time people reunite with their families, commemorate ancestors, and visit their relatives and friends. It’s a time people bid farewell to the past year, and wish all the best for the new year. The celebration could date back to more than three thousand years ago, bearing Chinese people’s aspirations for a better life and pursuit for harmony, happiness, peace and prosperity.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, I would like to extend sincere new year greetings and best wishes to all our guests and, through you, to all friends in Rwanda, to fellow Chinese community, wishing everyone happiness and success in the coming year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past year 2022 is a year of significance for the Communist Party of China and our country.

The Party successfully convened its 20th National Congress and elected a new CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. The Congress drew an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects through a Chinese path to modernization. It is a clear call for all Chinese people on forging ahead on a new journey.

During the year, Chinese economy has remained the second largest in the world, with GDP expected to exceed 17.4 trillion US dollars. China successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. China's space station was fully completed. China's first large passenger aircraft, C919, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station, the second largest in the world, went into full operation.

During the year, China stays committed to promoting peace and development of the world.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI) put forward by President Xi Jinping gained traction worldwide. In June, China announced 32 major measures to implement the GDI; an open-ended pool of GDI projects and the Global Development Promotion Center were created. To date, more than 100 countries and a number of international organizations have committed support to the GDI.

Over the year, China has made steady progress in advancing Belt and Road cooperation. In the first 11 months of 2022, China’s trade with Belt and Road partners grew by 20.4 percent. China signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with another five countries, making the Belt and Road family a big gathering of 150 countries and 32 international organizations.

Over the year, China-Africa cooperation has been elevated across the board. We have accelerated the implementation of “the nine programs” of China-Africa cooperation, and supported Africa’s self-sustained development. We have donated vaccines and provided food assistance to Africa. We have taken the lead in publicly supporting the inclusion of the African Union in G20 and have continued to encourage Africa to play a bigger global role.

The past year also witnessed fruitful cooperation between China and Rwanda in various sectors, including trade, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, health, education, and culture. China cancelled debt of 7.1 million US dollars to support Rwanda’s growth. We started construction work to expand Masaka Hospital, which will become one of the biggest hospitals in Rwanda. Building of Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant is underway. “Smart Education” Project secured financing and will connect over one thousand schools and universities. More than 450 people benefited from 71 training programs conducted by China in different fields. Table tennis and Kung-fu competitions attracted local and regional players and enhanced our people-to-people exchanges. On the 5th China International Import Expo, coffee, dried-chili and other Made in Rwanda products caught attention of millions of Chinese customers, further advancing our agriculture and trade cooperation.

Last year, we also welcomed the visit of Amb. Xu Jinghu, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs, setting a new start for more bilateral exchanges.

I would like to extend my thanks to the Government of Rwanda and all friends who support the development of China-Rwanda relations, especially to Hon. Minister Biruta and MINAFFET. None of these achievements would have been possible without your help.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The upcoming year is Year of the Rabbit. Rabbit symbolizes kindness, wisdom and longevity in China. May we bring out the kindness and wisdom in the Year of the Rabbit, to make a long-lasting contribution to China-Rwanda relations, and to the peace of the world.

I wish China and Rwanda prosperity, people peace and happiness!

May China-Rwanda cooperation flourish and bear more fruits!

I wish all of you good health, smooth work, happiness and good luck in the Year of the Rabbit!