On 21 August, Ambassador Gao Wenqi attended and addressed the Bank of Kigali Business Club gathering in Kigali, joined by Rwandan government officials, financial-sector stakeholders and representatives of Chinese enterprises.

Ambassador Gao underscored the long-standing cooperation between Bank of Kigali and the Chinese Embassy, noting that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of China-Rwanda diplomatic ties and the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchange. Following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024, China-Rwanda relations have gained fresh momentum.

Ambassador Gao highlighted growing exports of Rwandan specialty products to China and the potential of the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) to facilitate cross-border settlements and reduce transaction costs. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and vocational training to support Rwanda’s development as a regional digital hub, help create more jobs, improve livelihoods and promote shared prosperity.