Beijing, 3 September 2018
President Kagame today attended the opening of the Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC 2018.
The Forum is platform established between the People’s Republic of China and Africa for collective consultations and dialogue on cooperation mechanisms in several areas of interest.
In its third edition, the Summit runs from 3-4 September under the theme “Toward an Even Stronger China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
In his opening address, President Kagame, who was invited in his double role as the Chairperson of the African Union and President of Rwanda, pointed out that China’s actions have demonstrated that a stronger Africa is seen as an opportunity to invest in, rather than as a problem or a threat.
“China has continued to lead the way in showing what is lost in not engaging and partnering with Africa.The health and productivity of the bonds between Africa and China are self-evident. Let there be no misinterpretation on that score. Africa is not a zero-sum game. Our growing ties with China do not come at anyone’s expense. Indeed, the gains are enjoyed by everyone who does business on our continent,” President Kagame said.
The President added that Africa looks forward to building on the solid foundation in place to reach the Africa-china shared future of openness, prosperity, and peace.
Co-Chaired by Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the Summit is attended by leaders from 53 African countries. The Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat are also in attendance.
President Kagame is in China with First Lady Jeannette Kagame. Their attendance at the summit follows the recent State Visit to Rwanda of President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan during which the two nations signed 15 bilateral and cooperation agreements.