Exclusive | ‘We can’t be bullied’: Rwanda won’t take sides in US-China rivalry, envoy says
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Rwandan ambassador to China, James Kimonyo, stated that Rwanda will not be forced to choose between China and the United States. He emphasized that both countries are important partners for Rwanda and tensions between them should be settled systematically. Kimonyo dismissed claims of China engaging in debt-trap diplomacy in Africa as illogical. He defended China's investments in Africa, including those under the Belt and Road Initiative, stating that they are discussed based on Rwanda's national priorities. Kimonyo highlighted China's historical support for Africa and its positive contributions to Rwanda's socio-economic transformation. He expressed Rwanda's desire to deepen cooperation with China in various areas, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, technology, and innovation. China is already Rwanda's biggest source of foreign direct investment, and Kimonyo expects the investment to grow. Wu Peng, the Chinese foreign ministry's director general of African affairs, pledged China's support for Rwanda's development and deeper ties between the two countries.
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