Rwanda, China ink agreement on defence cooperation

Rwanda and China, on Wednesday, September 17, signed an agreement on defence cooperation, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations. According to Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), the signing took place during a bilateral meeting between Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and Admiral Dong Jun, China’s Minister of National Defence, on the sidelines of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. The major international conference on security brings together defence officials and representatives from over 100 countries, regions, and international organisatio

Rwanda and China, on Wednesday, September 17, signed an agreement on defence cooperation, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations. According to Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), the signing took place during a bilateral meeting between Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and Admiral Dong Jun, China’s Minister of National Defence, on the sidelines of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. The major international conference on security brings together defence officials and representatives from over 100 countries, regions, and international organisations to discuss global peace and security. The Republic of Rwanda and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 1971, and since then, the political cooperation relationship between the two countries has grown exponentially. The bilateral relations between the two countries have been steadily growing. ALSO READ: Rwanda Views China as an Important and Reliable Partner – Minister Nduhungirehe Beyond military cooperation, Rwanda and China collaborate in various sectors. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1971, and their political partnership has grown significantly. In March 2024, during the 9th session of the Rwanda-China Joint Committee on Economic, Technical, and Trade Cooperation (JETTCO), both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Discussions focused on aligning Rwanda’s Vision 2050 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and accelerating projects in infrastructure, agriculture, and technology. In September 2024, on the sidelines of the China-Africa Summit (FOCAC) in Beijing, President Paul Kagame met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.