East African Business Week (Kampala),Bosco Hitimana,19 January 2009

Kigali, Rwanda - Rwanda and China have pledged to further boost trade and economic relations between them following Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to Rwanda last week.

Jiechi said his visit to Rwanda was intended to cement mutual understanding and extend cooperation between the two countries.

He signed a trade and economic agreement with Rwanda's Foreign affairs and Cooperation Minister, Rosemary Museminali and met President Kagame (pictured right).

The official vowed to sensitize and mobilize Chinese firms to invest in Rwanda.

"We regard Rwanda as a true partner and a true friend in Africa," he said after signing the agreement.

"The agreement we have just signed is the support that China is going to be giving Rwanda. It is a continuation of the ongoing China-Rwanda cooperation," Museminali said.

In his two-day visit, Yang Jiechi officially opened the new Chinese embassy in Kigali and talked to the Chinese business community in the country.

He also opened the new building to house the Rwanda ministry of foreign affairs whose construction was sponsored by the Chinese government to the tune of US$8.9 million.

China supports Rwanda in agriculture, infrastructural development, health and scholarships in higher learning.