- 8 hours ago
Originally from YouTube: Partnership, Progress, and the Future: An Exclusive Talk with Ambassador Gao Wenqi
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:30A warm welcome to all of you who chose to be with us today. It is a privilege to host
00:35His Excellency Gao Wenqi, the newly appointed ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Rwanda. Ambassador Gao has only
00:43recently begun his mission here at a time where relations between Rwanda and China continue to deepen and expand. Your
00:51Excellency, we are delighted to welcome you to Rwanda and to our viewers as well.
01:25Thank you, my friend.
01:56The tragic history of other countries from part of that movie, the famous movie, which I have never watched.
02:03So, there are so many video clips on China's social media platforms. I've seen lots of news about Rwanda, about
02:16the country. And I think most of them are very positive.
02:19So, I think this is a reflect of the friendly sentiments of Chinese people to Rwandan people.
02:29I have been here for almost seven weeks. So, the country brings me surprise almost every day. The landscape is
02:38stunning. The weather is so pleasant. The city is clean and safe. And culture is very unique.
02:45I see. I enjoy the indoor dance very much. And I joined that car-free day weekend activity.
02:53Oh, you already joined it?
02:54Yeah, I joined it.
02:55How is it?
02:57I'm looking very much forward to joining that Umganda.
03:00Umganda.
03:00One day I will make a plan.
03:01The last Saturday of the month.
03:02Okay.
03:03So, are there any similarities to Rwanda and China? Did you see some common things?
03:11Yes. Yes.
03:13We, you know, our two peoples, we are so close.
03:17I see.
03:17You know, we, both of them, we cherish, you know, tradition, family value, and cultural heritage, and history.
03:27And we are, we cherish the national, unique national identities.
03:33Exactly.
03:33So, I would like to express my appreciation for Rwandan brothers and sisters in helping me to settle down.
03:41So, over the past weeks.
03:43Sure.
03:43So, I see the country, lots of boundless dynamics, vitalities, and possibilities of the whole country.
03:53Thank you very much.
03:55So, you recently presented your credentials to President Kagame.
03:58Yeah.
03:58Was it your first time meeting him?
04:00Yes.
04:01That's my very first time.
04:02Oh.
04:03What was your impression of him?
04:05He says, China is a reliable good friend of China, and assured me, Rwanda is committed to strengthening bilateral relationship
04:15and cooperation.
04:17I did convey the best wishes and warm greetings from His Excellency President Xi Jinping.
04:24Yes.
04:25And the President asked me to convey his best regards to our President.
04:30Yeah.
04:30And I said to the President, under the strong leadership of His Excellency, Rwandan people have been exploring a unique
04:42development path with distinctive features.
04:46He has succeeded in maintaining a national unity and social harmony, and achieved a very strong economic growth rate.
04:59So, I told him I have made some field trips to those remote villages far in the north and in
05:08the south.
05:08Wow.
05:09And I had a lot of interactions with local people.
05:11So, I got a strong feeling people love and support their leader, and they are very proud of the achievements
05:18for the country's restoring dignity and prosperity for the entire nation.
05:23Exactly.
05:24And finally, the President assures me, and he and his government will provide with strong support and warm assistance for
05:33me to carry out my duties, which I appreciate very much.
05:37So, the day you presented your foundations, or you, of course, had a meeting, what are some of the things
05:44you discussed about?
05:46Yes.
05:47Yeah.
05:48Those blueprints.
05:50Yeah.
05:50And that, you know, blueprints that were, what do you say, the guidance, strategic guidance provided by the two heads
06:00of state.
06:00I see.
06:01So, my priority, I told him my priority is to carry on those consensus reached between the two heads of
06:07state.
06:08And to deepen our political, mutual political trust and economic cooperation and to bring more benefits to our two peoples.
06:19Yeah.
06:20So, we were talking about something, yeah, a lot about our bilateral relations.
06:24I understand.
06:25So, one of your previous roles was deputy mayor of Changsha.
06:29Yeah.
06:31I'm privileged.
06:32I think you met a lot of Rwandans there.
06:34Yeah.
06:34So, now that you're based here in Kigali, what are the opportunities that your experience presents for a China-Rwanda
06:41cooperation?
06:43Changsha is the capital of Hunan province, and it's the gateway for cooperation with Africa, Rwanda.
06:52So, Rwanda also benefits from this partnership.
06:56For example, Rwanda's first dried chili export to China began in Changsha.
07:04Hundreds of bags of Rwandan coffee beans sold out within seconds in Changsha's online shopping festival.
07:11So, last June, during the fourth China-Africa Economic Trade Expo, which the foreign minister, Andrew Hondurey, also attended.
07:22Yeah.
07:23So, Rwanda products attracted dozens of visitors.
07:26Rwanda was under the spotlight, thanks to your perfect and wonderful exhibition and roadshops.
07:32So, our two countries have entered into the best period.
07:38The relations, bilateral relations of our two countries have entered into the best period.
07:43So, China becomes the Rwanda's top trading partner and the investment partner.
07:49I see, I see.
07:49So, as I just mentioned, you know, we have established our, upgraded our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
08:00So, during the Beijing summit of FOCAG last September, the two heads of state, they have had a very fruitful
08:07and friendly discussion on bilateral relations.
08:10So, they have provided with strategic guidance for cooperation between the two countries.
08:16So, we are, we stand ready, stand ready to work with Rwanda to implement those important consensus and the summit
08:26outcomes to enhance our exchange and cooperation at all levels.
08:31All right.
08:33So, Chinese brands, most recently, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, they have shown increasing interest in Rwanda market.
08:42How do you intend to enhance and expand these collaborations, even beyond electric vehicles, which sectors show particular promising potentials
08:53for China Rwanda cooperation?
08:56China's EV brands, like BYD, and Chang'an, Dongfang, into Rwanda, mark a promising start.
09:04I expect more brands to follow, along with their maintenance services, and will maintain open communication to deepen this collaboration.
09:13Beyond EV, China is also strengthening AI and ICT cooperation with Rwanda.
09:20In view of Rwanda's leading role in African AI development, for instance, Huawei, their smart education project connected about 1
09:31,500 Rwandan schools to educational networks.
09:35And they launched a digital truck initiative to train local ICT professionals.
09:41Many Chinese universities and our embassy are also contributing to AI capacity building by AI workshops for Rwandan students, both
09:53in Rwanda and in China.
09:55So, AI shouldn't be exclusive to the wealthy.
10:00All countries, especially developing countries, have an equal right.
10:05Last month, China announced the initiative, our Prime Minister announced this initiative, to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization during
10:16the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai, with the aim to narrow the digital divide.
10:24So, we are willing to strengthen cooperation with Rwanda by this platform, promoting AI for good and all.
10:31Yeah, exactly.
10:32So, China's relationship with Africa is often criticized by Western media.
10:37With terms such as debt trap diplomacy, it is mostly used.
10:44How do you think about this narrative?
10:45Why do you think Western media often portray China in a hostile and critical manner?
10:51Yeah, the so-called China's debt trap is indeed a narrative trap.
10:57China attaches no political conditions to its financing, never forces loans on African nations.
11:04No country faces debt stress due to Chinese cooperation.
11:09In fact, China has built many railways and ports across Africa, creating jobs and growth.
11:16Our support strengthens debt servicing capacity, not debt burdens.
11:23So, His Excellency President Kagame has publicly debunked the debt trap narrative.
11:29In the Doha Forum last year, he stressed that Chinese investments benefit Rwanda tangibly.
11:36Debt risks arise from governance, not the loans.
11:41And Namibian former President Gengob also said,
11:47Don't underestimate China's intelligence.
11:50They know how to deal with their own affairs.
11:54So, facts speak louder than words.
11:56Whether China financing is good or not, our African brothers and sisters are the ultimate judges.
12:02Some of the media's hostile portrayal of China stems from ideological biases, undermining China-Africa cooperation.
12:12So, I believe Rwanda is also a victim of those hostile institutions and media's narrative straps.
12:20Indeed, Africans should only be the judges of whatever they say.
12:28So, in light of current global tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, do you believe global trade can withstand and adapt
12:36to these challenges?
12:37Actually, I'm not an economist, but it's obvious.
12:42United States tariffs abuse and aid suspension indeed brought challenges to the world.
12:50Africa and the global south suffers most, yet global trade will endure.
12:55Trade wars have no winners.
12:58Openness is the main trend.
13:00Despite the 2018 U.S.-China trade war, China's foreign trade rose from 30 to 43 trillion U.S. dollars, affirming
13:10cooperation's value.
13:12So, the United States doesn't dominate global trade, global south does.
13:17As the world's second largest economy and consumer market, largest manufacturer, China stands together with the most majority to safeguard
13:26multilateralism,
13:28offering 100% zero-taf access to 53 African countries, rolling out more market access measures for the least developed
13:38African countries.
13:39So, China and Rwanda are comprehensive strategic partners.
13:44In face of challenge, we stand ready to join hands with Rwanda to implement the 10 partnership actions of the
13:53Beijing Summit FOCAG, bringing more benefits to our two peoples.
13:58Good, good. So, Taiwanese officials coming back to China, they have recently claimed that China is preparing for war.
14:08How do you respond to such statements and what is the China's position on the Taiwan case or Taiwan issue?
14:15Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times.
14:19In the 19th century, Japan forcefully seized Taiwan, but Taiwanese people never stopped resisting Japanese occupation.
14:28The Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 all mandate Taiwan's return to China, affirming
14:41China's sovereignty over Taiwan.
14:43We uphold one China principle, namely, there is one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's
14:52territory and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
15:01Today, 183 countries have established diplomatic relations with China based on the one China principle.
15:09This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against the Japanese aggression,
15:19as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to Motherland.
15:24At the 2024 FOCAC summit, China and Rwanda's joint statement on implementing three global initiatives reaffirmed Rwanda's firm adherence to
15:37one China principle.
15:39We deeply appreciate Rwanda's consistent stance on the Taiwan question.
15:44I see. You highlighted about FOCAC. Last year, China and Rwanda relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership during
15:54this particular summit FOCAC. It was last September.
15:59How would you assess the current state of bilateral ties?
16:05Over the past 54 years, China-Rwanda relations have thrived on mutual respect, equality and support.
16:13Especially, I would describe our current ties using the three COs.
16:18The first is comprehensive. Our relations are broad and deep. High-level exchanges are frequent between our heads of state
16:26and senior officials across the ruling party, government, military and business sectors.
16:33In education, China has been providing scholarships to Rwandan students for over 40 years.
16:41We also set up Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, Lubin Workshop in IPRC Musanze.
16:50In healthcare, the Chinese medical team in Rwanda has been serving for over 40 years.
16:57Masaka Hospital will become one of the largest hospitals in Rwanda.
17:01In addition, China and Rwanda support each other's major concerns in bilateral and multilateral occasions.
17:08And the second is constructive. Our cooperation benefits both nations.
17:14Chinese support is visible in transformative infrastructure like roads, buildings, schools and facilities.
17:23We are Rwanda's largest source of foreign direct investor.
17:27In return, in turn, Rwanda's high-quality exports like coffee, tea and dried chili provide Chinese customers with more choices,
17:40hitting a record high of $160 million.
17:43The third is congenial.
17:48I'm sorry. The third is congenial.
17:49A deep foundation underpins our relations.
17:53Both nations having endured colonial aggression and civil war profoundly value peace and independence.
18:02Both adhered to the people-centered development concept.
18:08China has five-year plans. Rwanda has seven-year-long NSTS.
18:12Yes.
18:13China has centenary goals and Rwanda has 25th division.
18:19This profound commonality lays a solid foundation for our partnership.
18:26Yeah, this marks the end of our interview. We thank you so very much for giving us this opportunity to
18:34discuss about different topics in regard of our two nations.
18:39I hope this is the first time, but I hope it's not the last. I hope next time we can
18:44also meet and discuss about other topics.
18:50Thank you very much. I just would like to say a few more words.
18:55Sure, sure, sure.
18:55So I'd like to say that I'm not a visitor to this country and I'm not just a passing through.
19:01So my mission is to observe and to learn, to love and most importantly to share.
19:09Exactly.
19:10So congratulations on the country's achievements and I wish your country greater success on the path of peace and development.
19:17I see.
19:18I wish you all the best.
19:19Thank you very much.
19:20Well, that was the newly appointed ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Rwanda, Ga Weng.
19:28We discussed about different aspects of diplomacy, cooperation and the future of the partnership between our two nations.
19:38This marks the end of our interview. Thank you also for staying. We hope you enjoyed. See you next time.
19:48Here.
Comments