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Tuesday, September 12, 2006
China Pledges Support to Rwanda Researcher, GLCSS China Pledges Support to Rwanda The People’s Republic of China at the fifth session of a joint commission meeting with the government of Rwanda pledged to extend its involvement in Rwanda in infrastructure and economic development. The announcement also included an expanded scholarship program for Rwandans to study in China and medical aid to Rwanda. The heart of the agreement focused on construction of government buildings and infrastructure improvements. The Chinese delegation headed by Director General Zhou Yabin, Western Asia and African Affairs, told Rosemary Museminali, Minister of State in charge of cooperation, that China will dispatch teams this month to start the planning process for building a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINAFET) headquarters in Kigali. The US eight million dollar project, according to Yabin, could start as early as October. In his interview with the media the Chinese Ambassador Qi Deen affirmed that they have already concluded an agreement with Rwanda representatives on the MINAFET building. ” The amount was arrived at with the contractor,” said Qi, referring to the contract to start construction of MINAFET headquarters. In addition, China and Rwanda are in discussions to build a new 50,000 seat stadium to host the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament. The two governments are also in discussions about China financing a feasibility study for a railroad line in Rwanda. According to MINAFET officials, China will also assist in the construction of the “Rwanda Women’s Center” and the Confucius Institute, and it will provide equipment to the Rwandan Parliament office building. At a separate meeting, Chinese telecommunications specialists expressed interests in a number of projects. The agriculture sector will also benefit as well as the health sector. China will support Rwanda on technology transfer and expertise in agricultural mechanization. This includes making small-scale tools and equipment for farmers grouped in cooperatives. In addition, the Chinese delegation vowed to support other projects like irrigation development, upland rice cultivation, erosion control and rainwater harvesting. In the health sector, China is slated to provide some two million Yuan of medical instruments, general medicine and anti-malaria medicine. In addition, China will assist in the rehabilitation of Kibungo hospital and construction of Kabuga Hospital in Kigali. Finally, Yabin stressed that China has a commitment to assist Rwanda in the areas of training and education. “ China will carry out various types of training courses in different fields, and plan to train 26 government officials and eight technical staff,” he said. This includes 57 Rwandan students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in China. It also represents a growth by some 20 students from the previous year. China has consistently pushed for greater influence in Central and Western Africa and the Horn, especially in the extractive industries. However, the growing Chinese involvement in Rwanda represents the reality of Rwanda’s position as a center for trade, transport, and commerce in the region and demonstrates the inter-locking nature of China’s economic strategy for Africa. The Great Lakes Centre for Strategic Studies is a London-based think tank. Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by GLCSS at 3:17 AM |
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