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Category: News
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Chinese FM urges U.S. to honor commitments on bilateral ties
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China looks forward to jointly creating shining “South moment” in global governance: FM
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China, Russia set new paradigm for major-country relations: FM
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China to firmly be force for peace, stability, progress: FM
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Xi calls on political advisors to build consensus for Chinese modernization
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged political advisors from different political parties, organizations, ethnic groups, sectors, and all walks of life to conduct in-depth research and actively offer suggestions based on the major strategic tasks laid out by the 20th CPC National Congress and the arrangements made by the Central Economic Work Conference.
The meeting was attended by political advisors from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK), the sector of science and technology, and the sector of environment and resources.
Xi extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country’s women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life ahead of International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.
Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, joined the discussion. Wang and Cai are both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
At the joint group meeting, six national political advisors spoke on topics ranging from cross-Strait cooperation in industrial and supply chains to internet core technologies and environmental protection.
After attentively listening to the political advisors, Xi made an important speech. He said the CPC Central Committee united and led the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to fulfill the major economic and social development goals in 2023, adding that political advisors contributed their efforts and wisdom to this hard-earned achievement.
On the work related to Taiwan, Xi urged the RCCK to unite all patriots from home and abroad, in and out of Taiwan to step up opposition against “Taiwan independence,” expand support for national reunification, and jointly advance the peaceful reunification of China.
He called for active efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation in fields such as sci-tech development, agriculture, culture and youth development across the Taiwan Strait and deepen cross-Strait integrated development.
Xi called on political advisors and all people in the science and technology sector to strengthen basic research and applied basic research, strive to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and create new drivers for developing new quality productive forces.
Xi urged political advisors from the sector of environment and resources to make new contributions to ecological and environmental protection and sustaining high-quality development with high-level protection.
He called for fully and accurately implementing the guidelines of targeted, science-based and lawful pollution control, advancing green and low-carbon social and economic development, and promoting carbon emission peaking and carbon neutrality in an active and prudent manner.
Noting this year marks the 75th anniversary of the CPPCC’s establishment, Xi emphasized the need for the CPPCC to promote the specialized consultative body’s institutional development, and urged political advisors to enhance their ability to perform duties for new advances in the work of the CPPCC and the multi-party cooperation.
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DRC reports arrests of suspects accused of working with M23
Litsani Choukran, who leads a pro-state , Politico newspaper in DRC, announced that the majority of these individuals are politicians.
He explained that a high-ranking military officer informed him that the detainees would soon be presented publicly
“These partners of the enemy and traitors of the Republic will be paraded soon,” he said.
The Congolese News Agency, ACP, reported that these individuals, who were primarily operating in North Kivu Province, were arrested following an investigation that had been underway for some time.
To date, neither their names nor the exact number has been disclosed publicly. The date when they will be publicly paraded is also unknown, and no official statement regarding this matter has been released by any DRC government agency.
Their arrest occurs as the DRC’s government forces continue to battle the M23 armed group in parts of North Kivu, especially in the Masisi territory, near the city of Sake.
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More than 7800 refugees relocated from Rwanda to other countries in 2023
According to the report, 7,826 refugees hosted by Rwanda found resettlement in other countries in 2023, with an additional 637 resettled in January, totaling 8,463 refugees resettled over the 13 months.
The United States leads in receiving the highest number of refugees from Rwanda in this period, accepting 5,668 individuals. Canada follows with 1,252 refugees resettled, Norway with 627, France with 286, and Belgium with 164.
Other countries that have received refugees from Rwanda include Denmark and Australia (152 each), New Zealand (80), Finland (77), and the Netherlands (5), with the Netherlands ranking tenth.
Most of the refugees resettled from Rwanda are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Resettlement to a third country serves as a durable solution for refugees who cannot return to their home country or integrate fully into the first country of asylum. It provides refugees with the opportunity to live permanently in a third country.
The UNHCR in Rwanda processed applications for 6,388 refugees for resettlement in 2023, of which 5,758 were accepted by various countries, in addition to some cases from previous years, making a total of 8,463. Resettlement considers the specific needs of refugees, and recipient countries assess these needs against their own criteria and capacities.
The selection for resettlement is based on information provided during registration and assessment processes, considering the vulnerabilities and needs of the refugees and their families. While family members are identified in the resettlement process, there is no guarantee that they can all be resettled together, as this depends on the laws and policies of the resettlement country.
As of January 2024, Rwanda hosts 135,343 refugees, with 83,946 (62%) from the DRC and 50,561 (37%) from Burundi.
Rwanda received 763 Congolese refugees in December 2023 and January 2024, totaling 14,204 arrivals from the DRC since 2022.
Since 2020, 30,877 Burundian refugees have voluntarily repatriated, including 325 in 2023 and another 95 in February 2024.
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Renovation of Rwanda’s Amahoro Stadium nears completion
Amahoro Stadium is an international-standard facility, providing Rwanda with the opportunity to stand out in terms of sports infrastructure. Every day, as you visit the construction site, new progress is evident.
The construction work, which started 19 months ago, began with the demolition of certain parts of the existing structure and the addition of new sections, making it difficult to recognize the original stadium’s location compared to where the new one stands now.
Abdul Aziz Ishimwe, the construction project manager at Summa Rwanda, explained that the work is about 93% complete overall.
“We are in the final stages of external work, focusing on parking areas, asphalt paving, final painting… basically, the remaining work before the job is done,” he said.
The entrance for dignitaries will be opposite the former Sportview Hotel. This is where individuals sitting in the VVIP, VIP, and press areas will enter.
While general fans will enter through entrances near the BK Arena, Zigama CSS, and on the side of a place known as ‘Kwa Rwahama’.
The renovation of Amahoro Stadium also included an upgrade of Petit Stade. The work on Petit Stade is completed and it is now capable of hosting matches.
“We installed seats, a new pitch, elevated it, and it’s roofed. The same goes for the Paralympic Stadium. We changed its pillars, and now it’s finished,” Ishimwe said.
The seating capacity of Petit Stade was reduced to accommodate comfortable seating for up to 1000 people.
Regarding parking, Ishimwe noted, “We’ve increased the parking spaces at both Petit Stade and the main stadium. The land was expanded, adding more parking spaces, exceeding 2000.”
Ticket scanning machines for fans entering the stadium and elevators for upper-level access have been installed.
The new Amahoro Stadium will feature rooms for press work, differing from the previous setup where journalists worked from higher stadium levels during games.
“There will be areas for them to follow the game and separate spaces for writing and broadcasting what they’ve observed,” Ishimwe added.
Teams will have separate entrances to avoid interactions. The locker room can accommodate four teams simultaneously, two playing and two potentially playing afterwards.
The pitch is complete, and the grass is being maintained to ensure it grows properly.
“The pitch is finished; we’re focusing on grass growth. Additionally, we’re finalizing the outer areas used for athletics, planning to start marking the running tracks within a couple of weeks.”
“The spectator stands are complete; if there were a match today, people could sit without any issues.”
The VIP area has been equipped with soundproof glass and rooms for officials to converse without the noise from fans.
The Ministry of Sports will have its offices in the stadium, located behind the section facing BK Arena.
Two large broadcast screens have been installed in the stadium, with more to be added in the VIP and press areas for better game viewing.
Beyond this, the stadium complex includes a training field and facilities for basketball, tennis, and volleyball.
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China shares stance on increasing interest of Western countries in Africa
Minister Yi was speaking at a press conference for the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing where he elucidated China’s foreign policy.
In recent years, Chinese officials including the Foreign Minister visited African countries.
Meanwhile, officials from the United States (U.S.) and other Western countries have been also paying visits to Africa in recent years.
The visits were held amidst Western narratives that depict China’s financial aid for significant development projects as a “debt trap.”
Officials indicate that China’s financial cooperation with Africa has primarily focused on infrastructure and capacity building, aiming to bolster Africa’s capacity for self-reliant and sustainable growth.
Throughout the years, China-Africa collaboration has addressed the critical development needs of African nations.
Propelled by the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Africa partnership in infrastructure has produced significant outcomes.
Last year’s data revealed that since the inception of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 23 years ago, Chinese enterprises have constructed or renovated over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, around 1,000 bridges, 100 ports, as well as several hospitals and schools across Africa. This effort has generated more than 4.5 million jobs.
Nevertheless, Western narratives often portray the Chinese aid in Africa as a “debt trap.”
China counters these accusations as unfounded and reaffirms its dedication to honoring African sovereignty.
Commenting on China’s stance on the trips and concern about the competition from the Western relation with Africa, Minister Yi said: “In the history of international exchanges, it is so because China and Africa rather treat each other with sincerity, ensuring the common future.”
He draw emphasis on a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual support and shared struggles against imperialism and colonialism, highlighting the historical context of solidarity that forms the bedrock of China-Africa relations.
According to Yi, China has committed to principles of “sincerity, fair results, amity, and good faith,” under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, propelling the China-Africa partnership onto a trajectory of accelerated growth and deeper connection.
“China has remained Africa’s biggest trading partner for 15 years straight, and the pie of China-Africa cooperation is growing bigger,” he noted.
Yi further stated that this economic partnership, coupled with a shared vision for development, demonstrates the tangible benefits of this relationship ‘not only for China and Africa but also for the global south, which is increasingly influencing the global narrative’.
However, the growing interest of Western nations in Africa has introduced new dynamics into the equation.
“While China-Africa cooperation thrives, other major countries have again turned their eyes. China welcomes that. We hope that like China, all sides will pay greater attention to Africa, increase support for Africa’s development, and support the development of real nations,” Yi stated as he reflected on China’s openness to multilateral cooperation and a desire for a genuine commitment to Africa’s development, beyond the realm of competition.
Looking ahead, Minister Yi announced the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to be held in China this winter.
This summit promises to be a landmark event, bringing Chinese and African leaders together to discuss future cooperation and governance.
Yi expressed optimism about the outcomes of this summit, believing it will “enhance their longstanding friendship,” and “open up new vistas for faster climate development and start a new chapter for China-Africa community and share the future.”
{{Théophile Niyitegeka / Beijing, China}}
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Lightning strike claims life of teenager in Rusizi District
The girl, named Mukamahirwe Joselyne, was hit by lightning while sitting in the living room of her home on the night of Tuesday, March 5, 2024, transitioning to Wednesday.
She remained in the living room after her parents had gone to bed.
IGIHE has learnt that Mukamahirwe was with her two siblings at the time of the incident, and one of them fainted immediately after the lightning strike.
Vincent Nahayo, the Acting Executive Secretary of Ruganda Cell, confirmed the news.
He said, “They were in the living room preparing to go to bed, and it started raining at around one in the evening when lightning struck, killing the girl instantly.”
The deceased’s older sibling, who fainted, was promptly taken to Mushaka Health Center for medical attention.