It is necessary to maintain a certain level of economic growth to ensure stable employment, mitigate risks and improve people’s livelihoods, Huang Lianghao, an official with the Research Office of the State Council, said in the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.
Since China introduced a comprehensive package of incremental policies last year, the economy has experienced a significant rebound, and this positive trend has been further consolidated and expanded since the beginning of this year, said Huang.
Over the years, the country has accumulated many positive factors and favorable conditions for growth, he said, adding that new technological breakthroughs are emerging at a faster pace, new industries and growth drivers are accelerating, and domestic demand is expanding rapidly, all of which lay a solid foundation for future development.
Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday announced the annual economic growth target when delivering the government work report to the annual session of the National People’s Congress for deliberation.
According to the report, China will adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy, which Huang said will provide strong policy support for economic growth.
The moderately loose monetary policy will help lower corporate financing costs and enhance liquidity, said Jin Li, a national political advisor and vice president of Southern University of Science and Technology.
Emerging industries and consumer sectors, including artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy and digital economy, are expected to receive stronger support, injecting new vitality into China’s high-quality economic development, said Jin.
Domestic demand is a “home market that will not move away,” and its growth will increase the country’s market capacity and bolster economic circulation, according to Huang Lianghao, an official of the Research Office of the State Council.
Huang made the remarks while discussing this year’s government work report, which was submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Wednesday. Domestic demand will be made the main engine and anchor of economic growth, according to the report.
“We should adopt a comprehensive approach and identify key areas to unleash all potential of domestic demand,” the official said.
Increasing spending power is one of the key measures to boost consumption outlined in the report. According to Huang, this is the most fundamental task aiming to ensure that people have enough money to spend.
Huang also called for efforts to address the most pressing issues hindering consumption, as well as to improve the overall consumption experience and boost people’s willingness to spend.
“This year’s government work report emphasizes prioritizing people’s livelihoods,” Huang said, adding that a series of measures for education, social insurance, and medical and health services will be introduced to meet the people’s needs.
On social insurance, the country has pledged to allocate more financial support to increase basic pension benefits for urban and rural residents, provide child care subsidies, and strengthen care for functionally impaired elderly people, according to the government work report, which was unveiled on Wednesday.
Economic development and livelihood improvements provide mutual reinforcement, particularly amid economic headwinds and insufficient effective demand, he said.
“Through policies to enhance living standards, the government aims to promote a positive interplay between improvements to people’s lives, demand expansion and economic growth,” he added.
China has set targets of keeping the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent in 2025, and creating over 12 million new urban jobs, according to a government work report unveiled Wednesday.
Despite steady economic recovery, China’s job market remains under pressure, particularly with 12 million college graduates this year, Huang Lianghao, an official with the Research Office of the State Council, said on the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.
To expand employment opportunities, Huang highlighted key measures outlined in the government work report, including fully leveraging employment-related policies, supporting labor-intensive industries in creating jobs and stabilizing employment, and striking a balance between the application of new technologies and job relocation for employees.
Beyond job availability, more should be done to address structural employment mismatches, he said.
“Many individuals struggle to find suitable positions, while businesses grapple with hiring the right talent,” Huang noted, emphasizing the need to solve the problem.
He highlighted large-scale vocational skills training, saying that this will not only enhance the job-seekers’ competence but also generate new jobs, boost labor productivity, and drive industrial upgrading.
How did the world’s second-largest economy perform in the past year? What are its major development goals and policy directions for 2025? In the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, guest speakers shared insights on the nation’s commitment to achieving its growth target while advancing high-quality development.
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China’s GDP expanded by 5 percent last year to 134.9 trillion yuan (about 18.8 trillion U.S. dollars) and contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth, according to the government work report.
Huang Lianghao, an official with the Research Office of the State Council, described the achievements as “hard-won and extraordinary.”
“China promoted growth within a reasonable range and effectively improved the quality of its economy,” noted Huang, also a member of the drafting group for the government work report, highlighting a 3.4-percent reduction in carbon emissions per GDP unit.
“In 2024, China’s economy demonstrated resilience and the effectiveness of overall reform,” said national lawmaker Yuan Yuyu, chairman of Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies Co., Ltd., a Guangzhou-based biotech firm.
Last year, the number of newly established business entities in China exceeded 20 million.
“The rapid development of enterprises vividly reflects the advancement of the country’s high-quality development and the steady growth of new quality productive forces,” noted Yuan.
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As 2025 marks the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), experts believe that the around-5-percent growth target proposed in the government work report balances what is needed and what is possible.
Huang emphasized the target’s alignment with employment stabilization, risk prevention, and the country’s development goals through 2035.
“It not only demonstrates the government’s precise grasp of the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability amid a complex economic environment, but also conveys a profound strategic consideration for medium- and long-term high-quality development,” said national political advisor Jin Li, vice president of Southern University of Science and Technology.
Huang expressed confidence in China’s economic fundamentals despite external pressures, citing positive factors such as burgeoning technological breakthroughs and expanding domestic demand.
Regarding employment, the report sets a goal of creating over 12 million new urban jobs and an around-5.5-percent surveyed urban unemployment rate. Huang underscored reforms in vocational training to address structural labor mismatches, while Jin stressed educational reforms to cultivate talent for emerging industries.
Yuan advocated for deeper industry-academia collaboration: “Universities hold talent resources while enterprises possess application scenarios. Bridging them will accelerate technological breakthroughs.”
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More funds and resources will be used to serve the people and meet their needs, according to the government work report. China will raise the minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents by 20 yuan and ensure an appropriate increase in the basic pension benefits for retirees. It will also continue to deepen the reform of public hospitals to better serve the public interest.
Highlighting healthcare commitments, Yuan said as health has become increasingly significant to the people, companies have the responsibility to provide more innovative products, drugs and medical apparatus and lower the costs to meet the people’s needs.
The government also plans 300 billion yuan in ultra-long special treasury bonds to support consumer goods trade-in programs.
“The concerns of the public are the key issues highlighted in the government work report. It proposes various measures to benefit the people and enhance their well-being,” said Huang.
This innovative service is now available to subscribers across both urban and rural areas, offering Rwandans a new era of high-quality voice communication.
The VoLTE service allows 4G users to make and receive high-definition (HD) voice calls over KTRN’s advanced 4G Network. Unlike internet-based applications like WhatsApp or Skype, VoLTE works directly through a 4G-enabled smartphone without requiring additional apps.
Users simply need a KTRN 4G SIM card and a compatible device that supports VoLTE to experience crystal-clear voice quality, faster call setup, and uninterrupted browsing experience during calls.
“At KTRN, we are constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers. The launch of VoLTE is a major milestone for Rwanda’s telecommunications industry,” said Daeheak AN (Aaron), KTRN’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Our goal is to provide advanced, reliable, and affordable communication solutions that enhance the user experience,” he added.
KTRN, which boasts the widest 4G coverage in Rwanda with more than 98% nationwide coverage, promises premium experiences with its VoLTE service.
Users can expect superior voice clarity, reduced background noise, and call setup that are three times faster than traditional 2G or 3G calls. The technology also allows seamless switching between voice and video calls, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted connection.
To celebrate this milestone, KTRN is offering three months of Free Unlimited VoLTE calls and SMS to all users with KTRN 4G SIM cards. The company has completed interconnection with all local telecom operators, enabling smooth communication between KTRN users and subscribers from other Networks operating in Rwanda. Additionally, KTRN has partnered with regional and international operators enabling seamless international Calls and SMS exchanges.
Beyond launching VoLTE, KTRN is focused on increasing the availability of compatible smartphones in Rwanda. According to Steven Ngabonziza, KTRN’s Chief Commercial Officer, the company is collaborating with leading smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Apple, Tecno, and Infinix, to ensure more devices support this service.
“We are committed to making VoLTE services and compatible devices more accessible and affordable through various partnerships,” he said.
The VoLTE service is available through KTRN retail partners-ISPs, which can be found at www.ktrn.rw/partners. Existing customers with 4G-enabled smartphones supporting VoLTE can access the service by dialing *900# or downloading the LTE RWA app from the App Store or Google Play.
With this launch, KTRN reinforces its commitment to driving Rwanda’s digital transformation by offering cutting-edge, reliable, and cost-effective communication solutions to its customers.
The Rwandan delegation, led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy in Germany, featured 14 tour operators and travel agents.
Their presence underscored Rwanda’s commitment to expanding its tourism sector and fostering new business opportunities.
RwandAir also played a key role in the event, promoting its expanding network of routes and services.
Speaking to IGIHE on the final day of the trade show, Hubertus Jung- Sales Manager at RwandAir, expressed satisfaction with the exhibition’s outcomes. He noted that visitors had the chance to explore Rwanda’s key destinations, including London and Brussels.
“We made a lot of new clients and friends at the RwandAir ITB counters. This was one of our most successful ITB experiences,” he said, adding that the airline is actively working on launching a new route to Frankfurt.
Similarly, Manzi Isibo, Head of Sales and Reservations at Wilderness Rwanda, emphasized the impact of Rwanda’s presence at ITB Berlin 2025.
“We’ve had many productive discussions with different stakeholders, secured deals, all in the name of growing the Rwanda brand as a top destination worldwide,” he noted.
Germany’s Federal Minister for Digitalization and Infrastructure, Dr. Volker Wissing, was among the distinguished visitors to Rwanda’s booth. He praised the country’s exceptional presentation.
“It’s a wonderful stand here at the ITB exhibition, and Rwanda is being presented at its best. I highly recommend discovering Rwanda—an amazing country with wonderful people and stunning nature,” he told IGIHE.
Having visited Rwanda multiple times, Dr. Wissing highlighted the nation’s strong infrastructure and economic growth, reinforcing its appeal as a tourist destination.
Harry Theoharis, former Minister for Tourism in the Cabinet of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and former Head of the Department of Revenue during the Greek government debt crisis, also visited Rwanda’s booth at ITB Berlin 2025.
Theoharis was received by RDB Chief Tourism Officer Irene Murerwa as he toured the Visit Rwanda stand on the last day of the trade show.
With breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife experiences, and a vibrant culture, Rwanda continues to establish itself as a must-visit destination. The country’s growing prominence at events like ITB Berlin underscores its potential to attract more international visitors and further boost its tourism industry in the years ahead.
Ingabire returned to Rwanda in 2010 from exile in the Netherlands, claiming her intention to run for president. However, upon arriving at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, she immediately inquired about the location of a “memorial for Hutus,” a statement that blatantly trivialized the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Ingabire was actively involved in political movements led by former Rwandan government officials and military officers responsible for orchestrating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who had taken refuge to Zaire forests, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
She led the Rwandan Democratic Rally (RDR) in 1998, which became the political mouthpiece for the remnants of defeated forces, including ex-soldiers and genocidaires. These individuals later joined armed groups such as ALIR, FDLR, and FLN.
After RDR dissolved, it was replaced by FDU-Inkingi, initially led by Charles Ndereyehe, a genocide suspect. When he moved to the Netherlands, Ingabire took over as the party leader.
During Ingabire’s 2010 trial, a witness identified as Lt Col Tharcisse Nditurende testified that she had collaborated with him, encouraging him to distance himself from FDLR to form an armed wing of FDU-Inkingi.
He also revealed that she had sent him money via Western Union, to travel for their meetings in Kinshasa in 2008 and later in Brazzaville to plan terrorist activities against Rwanda.
Ingabire has repeatedly defended these groups, claiming that “FDLR was formed by Rwandan refugees in the DRC after being expelled from Rwanda during the Genocide and that their armed struggle was a means to reclaim power.”
On December 12, 2013, a court convicted Ingabire of conspiracy against the state, genocide trivialization, and spreading false information, sentencing her to 15 years in prison.
However, in 2018, she was granted a presidential pardon. Despite this, she later denied ever requesting clemency, even though official records confirmed she had done so.
Many expected her to have reformed upon her release, but her actions and rhetoric have remained unchanged.
Speaking at a consultative meeting organized by the Rwandan Parliament on March 5, 2025, regarding genocide ideology in the region, its consequences, and strategies to combat it, Dr. Bizimana emphasized that Ingabire, who was once part of FDLR, remains the same.
“When RDR dissolved, it was replaced by FDU-Inkingi, initially led by Ndereyehe before he moved to the Netherlands and was succeeded by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza. Later, she left FDU-Inkingi to form her own party, Dalfa-Umurinzi. But in reality, there is no distinction between Ingabire of Dalfa and the Ingabire of FDLR and RDR,” he stated.
Ingabire, who aligns with FDLR’s divisive ethnic ideology and genocide denial, was caught red handed on May 11, 2019, during a recruitment meeting for a terror group composed solely of members of one ethnic group.
The meeting, held in Rwanda’s Kirehe District under the pretext of a training session, was exposed by an attendee who reported that Ingabire instructed them to recruit others into her party but warned that she did not want any Tutsi members.
Her primary recruitment target was unemployed young Hutus. Informants revealed that she required detailed personal information for each new recruit.
In November 2019, she rebranded FDU-Inkingi as Dalfa-Umurinzi, but her activities remained unchanged.
On November 4, 2019, an armed attack in Kinigi killed 14 innocent civilians. The assault was carried out by a coalition of terrorist groups under the P5 umbrella, which included FDU-Inkingi. At the time, Ingabire was still its leader.
Despite branding herself as an opposition politician and a human rights advocate, Rwandan Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo dismissed these claims in March 2024.
She explained that Victoire Ingabire is neither an opposition politician nor a democracy activist but an unrepentant criminal convicted of plotting to overthrow the government through violence and attempting to incite division in Rwanda.
The agreement was secured during UK Defense Secretary John Healey’s visit to Anduril’s Washington D.C. facility ahead of talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
Under the deal, Ukraine will receive Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones, classified as “loitering munitions” capable of surveilling designated areas and striking targets. Deliveries of drones, launchers, and spare parts will commence in the coming months, the statement said.
The deal is funded through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), which is supported by pledges from 10 nations, now totals 1.3 billion pounds, with the UK contributing 500 million pounds.
The agreement comes amid concerns over the U.S. decision to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, potentially hampering Kyiv’s access to critical data.
The UK has emphasized its continued military support for Ukraine. Since July 2024, the UK has provided over 5.26 billion pounds in military and financial aid to Ukraine, including 10,000 drones already deployed. (1 pound = 1.29 U.S. dollar)
Currently, Lt Nkurikiyineza is deployed in the Central African Republic (CAR) as one of the security personnel assigned to protect President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Rwandan troops, deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in CAR, are tasked with protecting the President and the First Lady, as well as securing key national infrastructure, including M’Poko International Airport.
Lt Nkurikiyineza explains that his decision to join the military was influenced by his older siblings, who encouraged him, along with his deep love for his country and desire to defend it as a soldier.
His dedication led him to be assigned to a UN peacekeeping mission. For over 20 years, Rwandan troops have actively contributed to such missions. Currently, besides CAR, they are also deployed in South Sudan.
“I take great pride in knowing that our country is at the forefront of restoring peace in foreign nations, especially here in the Central African Republic. It is an honor for me and my country to ensure that others do not suffer what we once endured when the world abandoned us,” he said.
In Bangui, at the Palais de la Renaissance, the Presidential Palace, Rwandan soldiers are highly visible. From the entrance to the innermost security perimeters, they work alongside Central African forces to ensure the President’s safety.
Lt Nkurikiyineza is positioned close to President Touadéra, ensuring that no threat comes near him.
“We operate based on the President’s schedule. Nearly 24 hours a day, we are with him—whether at his office, during his visits, or at his residence,” he explained.
This job is demanding, but those who undertake it do so with dedication. Their rigorous training prepares them to handle any challenges that arise.
“I am always positioned directly behind him as his second security officer. There is another Rwandan soldier I work closely with. When I was first assigned this duty, I thought it would be extremely difficult, but thanks to the training we received, we were well-prepared,” he added.
Lt Yvonne Mutesi has had a similar journey. She joined the military in 2016, completed her basic training, and later graduated from the Cadet Officer Course in 2023.
As part of the Rwandan contingent in the UN mission, her primary role is to protect the First Lady of the Central African Republic, Tina Marguerite Touadéra.
She begins her day at 5 a.m., preparing for work. Her daily schedule depends on the First Lady’s agenda, which she must anticipate and be ready for in advance.
Protecting a Head of State is a high-security responsibility that demands constant vigilance, commitment, and absolute readiness to prevent any threats.
“My work schedule is never the same. It depends on the First Lady’s activities, but regardless, I must always be at work before she wakes up or prepares for her day. I ensure everything is in place even before she informs me of her schedule,” Lt Mutesi said.
She has never encountered any challenges in her role due to being a woman. Instead, she believes her military training and confidence in her capabilities enable her to perform at the same level as her male counterparts.
“I have faced no challenges. We adapt to the culture of the people we work with, respecting their traditions while remaining professional. Thanks to the training we receive, there are no obstacles,” she said.
She encourages young women to serve their country, emphasizing that military service is not as difficult as some may think and that it brings immense pride.
“My advice to young women is to step up and serve their country. There is nothing too difficult, and it is a source of great honor,” she added.
Lt Marie Ingabire, also assigned to protect the First Lady, echoed this sentiment, urging more young women to consider military service.
“We are proof that women can do this job. I encourage other young women to join and contribute to our country,” she said.
Rwandan troops have been protecting CAR’s leaders since 2014, having initially been assigned to safeguard former President Catherine Samba-Panza and continuing with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who took office in March 2016.
