Friendship proves its worth

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has compounded the once-in-a-century changes unfolding in our world, making this year extraordinary and significant for China, Rwanda and the whole world. Facing the challenges and opportunities, China and Rwanda have been working hand in hand to tackle the risks, enhance mutual trust, strengthen win-win cooperation and promote common development for the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

In the tenacious fight against the virus, China and Rwanda have extended helping hands to each other and engaged in extensive mutual support. China will never forget the sincere assistance and support Rwanda offered during its most difficult period in battling the virus. President Paul Kagame and Rwanda Patriotic Front Secretary General Francois Ngarambe sent letters of solidarity and support to the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China respectively. The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement expressing trust and support for China. Rwanda-China alumni made a special video, sending Chinese people their sympathy and best wishes.

Since Rwanda initiated its all-out fight against the novel coronavirus in the middle of March, China has been repaying Rwanda's goodwill with greater kindness. Through different channels and at different levels, the Chinese government and people have continuously donated dozens of batches of medical supplies and emergency food to the Rwandan government, ruling political party, parliament, military, teachers, and low-income households. Chinese medical experts have also shared their pandemic control practices, diagnostics and therapeutics with their Rwandan counterparts. All these demonstrate the precious friendship between our two countries in this time of adversity.

At the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and on other multi-lateral occasions, President Kagame actively responded to President Xi Jinping's positions and proposals and his insistence on solidarity and cooperation as the only way to defeat the virus, supporting the World Health Organization's leading role in coordinating the global response efforts, rejecting stigmatization or name-calling associated with the virus, and keeping global industrial and supply chains secure and stable to ensure the world's economic recovery.

Thanks to their effective leadership, strong actions and unwavering commitment in responding to COVID-19, both China and Rwanda are among the few countries to keep the pandemic under control. The achievements of China and Rwanda in containing the virus, through a combination of lockdown policies, rigorous testing and tracing, trustworthy institutions, universal health coverage, well-supported health workers and transparent public health communications, have been recognized and highly commended by the international community. Hand in hand, China and Rwanda have shown the world their shared determination to defeat the virus with solidarity and cooperation, writing a new chapter in their bilateral relations.

Geographically far apart as China and Rwanda are, as developing countries, both pursue the goals of poverty eradication and boosting the economy. China and Rwanda share the aspiration to achieve national prosperity and a better life for the two peoples. With COVID-19 still raging in the world, China and Rwanda still face daunting tasks to beat the virus and stabilize their economies and protect people's livelihoods.

Although the virus has imposed many restraints on bilateral exchanges, the cooperation between the two countries has maintained strong momentum and displayed huge resilience. Partners from both countries have kept in touch and coordinated through various channels, and thus ensured steady progress in major projects such as the Nyabarongo II hydro-power station, the renovation and expansion of Masaka Hospital, and smart education, to name a few. Also, to facilitate travel for the reopening of the Rwandan economy, Rwanda Air has resumed direct flights between Kigali and Guangzhou. The Electronic World Trade Platform, or eWTP, has been another success story during the pandemic. At an online promotion event in May, organized by Alibaba Group and the Rwandan embassy in China, 3,000 bags of Rwandan coffee beans, totaling 1.5 metric tons, were sold in less than a minute. Under the eWTP program, Rwandan farmers can now earn an additional $4 per kilo selling direct to Chinese consumers through the Tmall online platform.

On Sept 28, the eighth session of the Rwanda-China Joint Committee on Economic, Technical and Trade was successfully held. This session, which was virtual, was the first meeting held under a trade and economic mechanism between China and an African country since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Thirteen Rwandan cabinet members attended the session to discuss issues such as bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure, investment and development assistance, especially with regard to aligning Rwanda's Vision 2050 and China's Belt and Road Initiative, accelerating the registration of Rwanda's farm produce exporters in China, and deepening cooperation in the digital economy. All these will contribute to the enhancement of bilateral ties in the post-pandemic era.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Rwanda. A lot has changed because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, but not the two countries' friendly exchanges and cooperation. Both sides will not only celebrate the anniversary in diverse ways, but also take this chance to open up a new chapter for their relations.

The author is the Chinese ambassador to Rwanda. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.