In addition to the five recoveries, it was noted that no fatalities were reported on the same day. Of the 1,009 new tests conducted, one person tested positive, bringing the total number of patients currently receiving medical treatment to 21.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, expressed optimism in a post on X, stating, “Today, five have recovered. They are in good health and will return home tomorrow. Let’s thank the healthcare workers who attended to them. We will defeat Marburg.”
Health officials have explained that Marburg can be contracted without showing symptoms for three to 21 days, although symptoms may sometimes appear sooner.
The initial symptoms of the disease often resemble other illnesses, particularly malaria, and include sudden high fever, severe headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, and digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
As the illness progresses, symptoms worsen, causing the body to deteriorate. Medical experts note that early treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery.
To prevent further transmission, health authorities are urging Rwandans to maintain proper hygiene and avoid sharing personal items with individuals showing symptoms similar to Marburg.
Rwandan authorities have also disclosed that efforts to contain the outbreak are underway, with vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials set to begin in the near future.
Additionally, international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States, and the United Kingdom have pledged their support for Rwanda’s response to the disease.
While Israel’s defense systems, supported by the United States, managed to intercept many of the missiles, the situation still posed a significant threat to civilian life.
Speaking with IGIHE, Israel’s ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, described the situation as “surreal,” with over 10 million people forced into temporary shelters across the country.
This latest attack is seen by Israel as part of a broader strategy by Iran to destabilize the region and support militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
{{Unprecedented missile attack}}
The missile barrage came just hours after a deadly train station attack in Israel, which killed seven civilians.
Speaking with IGIHE, Ambassador Weiss recounted the events, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the missile strike.
“We had 181 missiles launched at Israel for an hour, primarily targeting Tel Aviv. The streets, the country was shut down basically,” she said.
Weiss emphasized that the Israeli government’s decision to instruct millions of civilians to take shelter was not taken lightly.
“Think about it—these ballistic missiles weigh around one ton each. Without our defense capabilities, particularly the Hetz missile system, which intercepted many of the missiles, we would have seen thousands of casualties. It’s no wonder the Home Front Command took immediate action.”
Despite Israel’s ability to neutralize many of the threats, Weiss noted that the silence from the international community has been “mind-boggling.”
She expressed frustration that Iran’s direct assault on civilians has not been met with global condemnation.
“If Israel had launched 181 missiles at another country, the international outcry would have been immediate. But when Iran does this, the world remains silent,” she remarked.
{{Facing conflict on multiple fronts}}
In addition to the missile strikes from Iran, Israel is engaged in an ongoing battle with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ambassador Weiss outlined the scope of the threat, explaining that Israel is being forced to defend itself from all sides.
“We have Hezbollah in the North, Hamas in the South, and now Iran, 2,000 kilometers to the East. This is not a normal situation.”
Israel’s military operations in Lebanon are a direct response to intelligence suggesting that Hezbollah was planning an attack similar to Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel, which left over 1000 civilians dead.
“We had intelligence confirming that Hezbollah was planning an attack on Galilee, using a network of tunnels like those in Gaza. We had no option but to act,” Weiss explained.
She stressed that Israel’s response is driven by the need to protect its citizens and prevent further loss of life.
“These terrorist groups are not leaving us with any option,” she said.
{{Iran’s role in the conflict}}
Following the recent missile attack, Iran’s Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, announced on state television that Iran would target critical infrastructure across Israel if Israel chose to retaliate.
Bagheri warned that the strikes would intensify and focus on key infrastructure sites across the country.
Iran framed the attack as a response to what it described as the “violation of its sovereignty” and the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Tehran in July—a blast for which Iranian officials blamed Israel, though Israeli authorities have not officially claimed responsibility.
The attack is also linked to the killing of Iranian-backed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasralla in Israeli airstrikes on September 27, 2024. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had vowed to avenge Nasrallah’s death.
However, Iran’s involvement in the conflict is seen by Israel as a clear demonstration of its strategy to use proxies to destabilize the region.
Weiss accused Iran of using Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi militia in Yemen as tools to further its agenda.
She also pointed out that Iran’s aggression extends beyond Israel, posing a broader threat to international security.
Despite these threats, Israel continues to call for the enforcement of international agreements, particularly UN Resolution 1701, which demands Hezbollah’s disarmament in Lebanon.
“This is an international resolution, not an Israeli one,” Weiss stated. “Yet it is not being enforced, and Hezbollah continues to operate freely in Lebanon.”
{{Frustration with global inaction}}
Ambassador Weiss expressed deep frustration with the international community’s reluctance to hold Iran accountable for its actions.
She highlighted what she perceives as a double standard in how Israel’s actions are viewed compared to those of its adversaries.
As she said, Iran is being embraced by the international community despite their direct involvement in terrorism while Israel is the one facing criticism for defending itself.
Weiss noted that while Israel is doing everything it can to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing warnings before attacks, the international response remains skewed against Israel.
“We go out of our way to avoid civilian casualties, even putting our own soldiers at risk. When we retaliate and people die for collateral damage, because that’s war, then the blame instead of being on Hamas is being on Israel. Now, the expectation that we do not retaliate is insane.”
This, she argued, is contributing to a dangerous precedent, where terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah are emboldened by the lack of consequences for their actions.
“The biggest winner of this year is Iran. They continue to support terrorism with no repercussions. The international community needs to send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
{{A call for global support}}
As Israel continues to defend itself on multiple fronts, it is calling for greater support from the international community.
Weiss emphasized that the world cannot afford to ignore Iran’s actions, as the consequences will not be limited to Israel.
“Iran is against everything that is liberal or different from them. They will go after anyone who doesn’t align with their ideology,” she warned.
Despite the challenges, Weiss remains hopeful that Israel’s resilience will see the country through this difficult period.
“Our goal is simple: to protect our people and ensure they can return to their homes safely. We want peace, but we cannot allow these terrorist groups to continue attacking us without consequence.”
{{Way forward}}
As the conflict drags on, Ambassador Weiss made it clear that Israel will not back down.
She explained that Israel has to defend itself noting that the international community cannot expect the country to sit by while its citizens are under attack.
Weiss also expressed concern that Iran’s aggression could spill over into other regions, particularly Europe and Africa and called on the international community to take a stand against Iran’s actions.
Over half of the people displaced are children, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.
He said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned by rising displacement in recent months, as escalating gang violence deepens the country’s humanitarian crisis.
About three-quarters of the displaced seek shelter in other provinces, with the Grand Sud region alone hosting nearly half of the total displaced population. In Port-au-Prince, the capital, where the security situation remains highly unstable, a quarter of those displaced live in overcrowded sites, with limited access to basic services, said Dujarric.
The school year started in Haiti on Tuesday, and UN humanitarian partners have been working closely with the authorities to support the national back-to-school campaign. Some 1.4 million students and teachers have experienced severe disruptions to education over the past year due to ongoing insecurity.
Dujarric said that in partnership with local organizations, the UN Children’s Fund is offering various forms of support, including by providing cash transfers so that families can cover school-related costs, helping displaced children integrate into host schools, distributing school kits, and ensuring schools are rehabilitated and have adequate supplies.
“However, these response efforts remain significantly underfunded,” he said, adding that just 30 percent of the 30 million U.S. dollars needed to provide education support to children in Haiti this year has been received.
Overall, the humanitarian response plan for Haiti this year remains only 39 percent funded, with 264 million dollars of the 674 million dollars required to provide life-saving assistance to the people of the country, said Dujarric.
This initiative marks a critical step in combating the outbreak that has impacted the country since September 27, 2024.
As of October 2, 2024, the Ministry reported 36 confirmed cases of Marburg in Rwanda. Of these, 25 individuals are currently receiving medical care. However, the disease has claimed 11 lives, including one death recorded on October 2.
Dr. Yvan Butera, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, stated that 410 people who have been in contact with infected individuals are being closely monitored for testing to break transmission chains.
Initial tests have shown that none of these contacts are infected, pending further clinical and lab workouts.
The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) noted that while no specific treatment or vaccine currently exists for Marburg, promising progress has been made in research.
Presently, patient care focuses on alleviating symptoms, and early treatment which significantly improves the chances of recovery.
Dr. Butera announced that Rwanda will soon initiate trials for both a vaccine and therapeutic treatment, prioritizing those at high risk of infection.
“We are about to start vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials to protect high-risk groups,” he stated.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, disclosed that vaccinations could begin within the next two weeks.
“Yes, we expect to start soon […] though we haven’t finalized the exact date yet,” he said.
The vaccines and treatments to be used are in the final stages of clinical research. Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted that Rwanda is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to fast-track the process.
Those at highest risk of contracting [the virus ->https://en.igihe.com/health/article/5-key-measures-to-protect-yourself-from-the-marburg-virus] include healthcare workers, individuals involved in the burial of Marburg victims, and those who have been in contact with infected individuals.
Early symptoms of Marburg are similar to other diseases such as malaria and typhoid and include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids or blood of an infected person or by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.
Following the confirmation of the outbreak in Rwanda, several measures have been implemented to contain its spread.
These include the suspension of [visits to patients ->https://en.igihe.com/spip.php?page=mv2_article&id_article=51529#:~:text=Hospital%20visiting%20suspended%20as%20new%20Marburg%20outbreak%20guidelines%20issued,-0%2030%2D09&text=The%20Government%20of%20Rwanda%20has,Marburg%20virus%20disease%20(MVD).] recovering in hospital wards and [boarding school visits->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/boarding-school-visits-suspended-as-mineduc-issues-marburg-guidelines].
The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday night that only one caregiver per patient would be allowed at a time.
Besides, various countries, including the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), along with the WHO, have pledged their support for Rwanda’s efforts in combating the disease.
The dinner was attended by high-ranking officials, including Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana.
President Kagame expressed his gratitude to his counterpart of Latvia, Rinkēvičs for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation.
“President Edgars Rinkēvičs, once again, thank you for hosting me and my delegation on this historic visit. I am convinced that Latvia and Rwanda have a lot to offer one another. We look forward to becoming not only friends but also partners,” said Kagame.
The dinner followed a series of discussions between the two Presidents. They covered topics including the strengthening of bilateral relations, addressing security challenges in both Africa and Europe, and enhancing cooperation in international organizations.
Rinkēvičs emphasized the historic nature of the visit, noting that President Kagame is the first African leader to pay an official visit to Latvia.
He also highlighted Latvia’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
“There is potential for collaboration in the field of information and communication technologies, which is also demonstrated by the growing interest of Latvian companies in the African market,” said Rinkēvičs.
Following their bilateral talks, Kagame told members of the press that Rwanda and Latvia share strong bonds of friendship. He emphasized that the purpose of his visit was to explore new opportunities for the mutual benefit of both nations.
As part of the visit, the two Presidents unveiled a commemorative plaque at the National Library of Latvia, dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rinkēvičs reflected on the genocide, calling it a dark chapter in world history.
“Thirty years ago, the world witnessed one of its darkest moments. The 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi served as a reminder of how hatred can poison people’s minds. The atrocities of 1994 in Rwanda cannot be described and must not be forgotten,” said Rinkēvičs.
“Three decades later, we continue to remember the victims and honor the survivors of the genocide. Rwanda has demonstrated to the world how to overcome an unimaginable tragedy by making a determined effort to heal society and forge unity,” he added.
Drawing a parallel with Latvia’s history, marked by wars, occupations, and violent repressions, Rinkēvičs remarked that Latvia deeply understands the importance of preserving historical memory.
President Kagame’s official visit to Latvia is set to conclude on October 3, 2024. Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Latvia were first established on April 10, 2007.
The Rwandan Head of State made these remarks during a joint press conference with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs. Kagame is on a three-day official visit to Latvia, which commenced on October 1, 2024.
During his visit, President Kagame toured the Latvian Occupation Museum, which showcases the country’s history and struggle for independence. Kagame and his counterpart, Rinkēvičs also held a private meeting, followed by broader bilateral discussions with their respective delegations.
Speaking to the press after these engagements, Kagame expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to his delegation and reflected on the strong bilateral ties and mutual interests between Rwanda and Latvia.
“Following my discussion with the President and between our delegations, it is evident that Rwanda and Latvia share strong bonds of friendship. […] The purpose of this visit is to explore new opportunities for the mutual benefit of our people,” Kagame remarked.
Among the key areas of cooperation, Kagame highlighted a growing interest in sustainable agriculture and expressed his appreciation for the visit to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, noting that it holds a universal message about the protection of rights and freedoms.
The President went on to share more values shared between both countries and areas of priority.
“What also unites Rwanda and Latvia is a common understanding that we can no longer do business as usual. We need a multilateral system that is more fit for purpose and which treats everyone equally,” he stated.
“We also need to prioritize growth areas such as information technology. […] Ultimately, the mindset we have is to work together to find solutions to our unique set of challenges,” Kagame added.
Kagame also described Latvia’s efforts to build a strong innovation ecosystem in Latvia as an example to be emulated.
He explained that Rwanda has also been doing its part, beginning with digitizing almost all public services.
The President further emphasized that Rwanda and Latvia are willing to support each other on a range of issues, notably peace and security and global development.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, in a message shared on his X account, expressed his zeal for deepening cooperation with Rwanda.
“Welcome, Your Excellency President Kagame, to Riga. Very much looking forward to developing strong political and trade cooperation between Latvia and Rwanda. It is also important to work together to uphold principles of international law both globally and regionally,” he wrote.
Latvia has fostered diplomatic relations with Rwanda since 2007, further strengthened by Rwanda’s appointment of an ambassador in January 2022.
Kagame’s visit marks the first official visit by a Rwandan president to the Baltic States, which comprise Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. It is also the first official visit by an African president to Latvia.
Located in northeastern Europe, Latvia is one of the smaller countries on the European continent, covering an area of 64,589 square kilometers. It shares borders with Lithuania to the south and Estonia to the north and has a population of approximately 1.88 million people.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after decades of occupation. Latvia’s landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, and sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea coast.
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is renowned for its stunning architecture, which includes Art Nouveau buildings and medieval churches. The official language, Latvian, is a Baltic language with ancient roots.
This clarification comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected in July 2024, canceled the agreement initially signed in April 2022.
The decision was made on the grounds that the deal would not effectively prevent illegal migrants from entering the UK.
In response, the Rwandan government expressed its continued willingness to contribute to addressing the migrant crisis and emphasized that it had no involvement in the termination of the deal.
The agreement’s cancellation sparked speculation over whether Rwanda would need to return the £270 million provided by the UK for the implementation of the asylum scheme.
However, Rwanda’s Deputy Government Spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, said that a refund was not stipulated in the agreement.
During a press briefing on October 2, 2024, High Commissioner Thorpe addressed these concerns directly, stating, “As far as I’m aware, there is no intention to ask Rwanda for any of the money back.”
When asked whether the UK might reconsider and reinstate the partnership, she indicated that this was unlikely in the near future, as the UK has introduced new strategies to tackle illegal migration.
These include enhanced border security measures aimed at preventing small boat crossings.
The diplomat also explained that, following Prime Minister Starmer’s decision to cancel the deal, the UK Parliament is expected to approve the formal termination.
Once approved, the UK government will notify Rwanda of its decision to officially withdraw from the agreement.
Despite the migration deal’s cancellation, High Commissioner Thorpe emphasized that the broader UK-Rwanda relationship remains strong.
“The new government in the UK has ended the migration partnership with Rwanda, but that absolutely doesn’t mean they’ve ended the relationship with Rwanda,” she assured.
High Commissioner Thorpe added, “In fact, the relationship has always been far broader than just migration. The new government is very keen to continue a strong relationship with Rwanda.”
The diplomat further pointed to the visit of the UK’s new Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, to Rwanda in early September 2024 as a testament to the enduring ties between the two nations.
She explained that it was intended to underscore the UK government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Rwanda in the coming years.
Thorpe also highlighted the UK’s desire to continue collaborating with Rwanda on key issues such as promoting trade, economic growth, and tackling climate change.
According to Rwanda’s Presidency, Kagame arrived in this European nation on Tuesday. He began the visit with a tour to the country’s Occupation Museum, which houses exhibits related to Latvia’s history.
Kagame and his host, President Rinkēvičs, are expected to hold a closed-door meeting before addressing a joint press conference.
During Kagame’s visit, a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be unveiled at the Latvian National Library on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Latvia, located in northeastern Europe, is one of the smaller countries on the continent, covering an area of 64,589 square kilometers. Founded in 1201, it shares borders with Lithuania to the south and Estonia to the north and has a population of approximately 1.88 million people.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after decades of occupation. Latvia’s landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, and sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea coast.
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is renowned for its stunning architecture, which includes Art Nouveau buildings and medieval churches. The official language, Latvian, is a Baltic language with ancient roots.
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Latvia were officially established in 2007. Rwanda appointed its ambassador to the country in January 2022.
On the morning of October 1, 1990, Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema led RPA soldiers across the Ugandan-Rwandan border, marking the beginning of a decisive military campaign.
Upon crossing, the RPA forces encountered and swiftly defeated a small group of government soldiers under President Juvénal Habyarimana, securing their entry into Rwanda.
By mid-afternoon, most of the RPA soldiers, numbering between 400 and 600, had reached Kagitumba.
Major General Rwigema stood between two trees—still standing today—and issued orders to his troops.
He divided them into battalions: Major Chris Bunyenyezi led the First Battalion, Colonel Ndugute Stephen commanded the Fourth, Lt Col Adam Waswa led the Sixth, and Sam Kaka headed the Ninth Battalion.
Before advancing, Rwigema reminded his soldiers of their mission to liberate Rwanda.
In a symbolic gesture, he removed his Ugandan military ranks and threw them into the Umuvumba River.
His fellow soldiers followed suit, emphasizing their commitment to the cause. Despite offering an opportunity for any soldiers who felt uncommitted to return to Uganda, none chose to leave.
On October 2, 1990, the First and Fourth Battalions were ordered to advance towards Kigali, while the Sixth and Ninth Battalions moved toward Nyagatare.
Maj Gen Rwigema, along with a few troops, went to oversee their deployments.
Unfortunately, while en route to Nyabwishongwezi Hill, a government army vehicle on patrol to inspect areas attacked on the previous day fired shots, one of which fatally struck Maj Gen Rwigema.
The news of his death did not reach many RPA soldiers until later, but despite this loss, they continued to press forward.
By October 3, RPA forces had taken control of Nyagatare, and two days later, they captured Gabiro.
The Rwandan government, claiming Uganda had invaded, sought international assistance, with Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire sending reinforcements to aid the Rwandan army.
As the battle raged on, the RPA forces began to learn of Rwigema’s death, causing morale to drop. The harsh conditions of the battleground also contributed to their difficulties, leading to setbacks in their initial progress.
{{Local residents’ experiences}}
Kagitumba and the surrounding areas were sparsely populated in 1990, as much of the region was part of Akagera National Park.
While some local residents quickly became aware of the fighting, others took longer to realize the significance of the events unfolding around them.
Donatha Mukarubayiza, a resident of Kagitumba at the time, was a farmer and served as a member of the cell’s committee.
She recalled the moment she first learned about the attack. “It was around 6 PM when we heard government’s radio broadcasts that the country had been attacked by Inyenzi [cockroaches- a degrading name used by the then regime to dehumanize attackers]. The name Inkotanyi hadn’t been mentioned yet. We were told not to leave our homes or gather in groups. That was the first time we had heard gunfire, and we were very scared,” she recounted.
Mukarubayiza first encountered RPA soldiers on October 4, 1990, when they arrived in distinct uniforms.
“We saw soldiers dressed differently, and people told us, ‘Look, those are the Inkotanyi.’ […] They reassured us, saying, ‘Stay calm, continue farming; we are Rwandans like you,’” she said.
Mukarubayiza also noted how respectful the RPA soldiers were towards the local population.
“They would take essential goods from shops, like soap and food, but they always paid.”
Pheneas Muzatsinda, another resident, was traveling to Kigali when the war broke out and could not return home.
He recalled, “When the war started, I was on a trip to Kigali, and I couldn’t return. The road to Nyagatare was closed, and vehicles were not allowed to pass. I had no other way to return, so I remained there.”
“I learned about the Inkotanyi invasion that same day, on October 1, because after 10 a.m., no more vehicles were going towards Nyagatare, and the road was closed. Around 1 or 2 p.m., we saw two people arriving on a motorcycle, saying that Ugandan soldiers had crossed the border at Kagitumba and attacked Rwanda,” he continued.
Muzatsinda recalled seeing RPA soldiers for the first time on October 18, 1990, when they had captured Kabarore and reassured civilians that it was safe to return to their homes.
He spent around one week and half with the RPA forces in Kabarore until they came under attack by government forces.
As the fighting intensified on October 26, Inkotanyi asked Muzatsinda to remain indoors as the then government’s soldiers had arrived in the area.
Muzatsinda along with his colleagues in the same house was captured by the government soldiers and imprisoned as a suspected RPA accomplice.
Three of them died in Byumba where the government’s forces had taken them but Muzatsinda escaped.
{{The aftermath of Rwigema’s death}}
The death of Maj Gen Rwigema initially caused a drop in morale among the RPA forces.
Samuel Rwabuhungu, another resident of Kagitumba at the time, recalled being a schoolboy in Primary Six when the RPA invaded.
His parents came to collect him from school as the country had been attacked.
“Like many children, we initially saw the situation as exciting, unaware of the gravity of the war,” he said.
Rwabuhungu recalled that the RPA soldiers were not violent and lived with residents in harmony.
Donatha Mukarubayiza said she doesn’t remember the exact day she learned about the death of Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema.
However, she recalled, “We eventually heard that the person leading Inkotanyi was shot on the Nyabwishongwezi Hill. The soldiers repelled Inkotanyi and came to tell us, ‘We are fighting the battle, and we are winning.’ About a week later, we heard that Bayingana and Bunyenyezi had also fallen in Nyakayaga.”
She continued, “Later, the local leaders appeared carrying banana stems, saying they were going to reward Rwigema. Then they told us, ‘We defeated the Inkotanyi, and they retreated.’”
As for Pheneas Muzatsinda, he learned about Rwigema’s death when “they started singing about it because, where we were imprisoned, we had no other news throughout the entire month of November.”
After the death of Rwigema and other senior RPA officers, the battle lost momentum, and some began to feel that defeat was imminent.
However, the struggle was revived when Paul Kagame, who was studying in the United States, returned to take command.
He regrouped the forces who moved from Nyagatare to the Volcano National Park. The war eventually came to an end in July 1994, when the RPA forces stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi and secured victory.
At a fruit trading center in Youyi township, Pingxiang, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, there are always constant streams of trucks loaded with various types of fruits.
As the largest port city for fruit trade between China and ASEAN, Pingxiang saw a total of nearly 1.65 million tons of fruit imported and exported in the first half of this year, up 15.36 percent year on year.
The bustling fruit business in Pingxiang is a vivid example of the thriving fruit trade between China and ASEAN.
With the annual hosting of the China-ASEAN Expo, the full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) among all 15 participating countries, and the deepening Belt and Road cooperation, the trade cooperation between China and ASEAN countries has been increasingly closer in recent years, with fruit trade becoming a highlight in the agricultural products trade between the two sides.
Currently, China is the largest export market for Vietnamese agricultural products, with Vietnamese fruits such as durian and dragon fruit being highly favored by Chinese consumers.
China is also a major destination for Thai fruits. Sixteen land ports have been permitted by the two sides to deal with the fruit trade.
Fresh food e-commerce platforms have set up vegetable and fruit procurement bases in Vietnam and Thailand, becoming new channels for local agricultural products to enter the Chinese market. In the first seven months of this year, Chinese e-commerce platforms reported a 48.6 percent increase in sales of Thai durian.
With the continuous addition of new fruit varieties from ASEAN countries approved to enter the Chinese market, more and more ASEAN fruits are being favored by Chinese consumers at more favorable prices.
Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attributed the booming fruit trade between China and ASEAN countries to multiple factors.
First, he said, the full implementation of RCEP has continuously released policy dividends, significantly reducing trade costs; second, under the RCEP framework, policies such as rapid inspection and quarantine have promoted the circulation of fruits and other agricultural products.
He also attributed the booming fruit trade to the increasingly strengthened infrastructure connectivity, the upgraded cross-border logistics system, and the diverse choices provided by ASEAN fruits for Chinese consumers.
Since the implementation of the RCEP on Jan. 1, 2022, agricultural products trade cooperation among member countries has become closer. According to statistics, due to the customs facilitation brought by the RCEP, China imported a total of 46.61 billion yuan ($6.57 billion) of fresh durians from RCEP member countries such as Thailand and Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2023, 1.7 times higher than the amount in the same period of 2021, before the agreement took effect.
Furthermore, in recent years, with the implementation of major projects such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Laos Railway, cold chain and refrigeration facilities in the region has been continuously improved, providing important technical support for China’s import of fruits. Today, it has become more convenient for ASEAN countries’ fruits to enter the Chinese market.
As a “golden channel” of logistics between China and ASEAN countries, the China-Laos Railway has shown its increasing significance since its operation. As of Aug. 22, 2024, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 43 million tons of goods, including 13,000 tons of Thai durians, bananas, and other fruits carried by cold chain carriages.
An industry insider pointed out that China and ASEAN countries have shown significant seasonal and category complementarity in fruit production.
China excels in producing temperate fruits such as apples and pears, while ASEAN countries specialize in tropical fruits like mangoes and durians. The fruit trade between the two sides helps optimize the supply and distribution of fruits in the region.
A recent report by Vietnam’s Nhan Dan Newspaper stated that Vietnam is currently the largest supplier of durians and fresh bananas to the Chinese market. The Chinese market is driving strong export momentum for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.
The governor of Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province Monsit Paisarnthanawat said that the development of the fruit industry has created a large number of job opportunities.
Currently, there are tens of thousands of people working in the fruit industry in the eastern region of Thailand, and the income of farmers has increased. “We look forward to more and closer cooperation with the Chinese market,” the governor added.
Currently, China is constantly working to widen market access, enhance customs clearance facilitation, and establish trading platforms such as the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Import Expo, and the China International Consumer Products Expo to further drive the continuous growth of fruit trade with ASEAN.
Gao said, under cooperation frameworks like the RCEP, China and ASEAN countries will further improve and optimize existing cooperation mechanisms and platforms to deepen cooperation, thus creating better development prospects for ASEAN fruits in the Chinese market.
