The satellite was launched at 9:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered its preset orbit successfully.
The launch was the 510th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
Blog
-
Premier Ngirente calls for global unity in environmental protection
Dr. Ngirente urged the assembly’s delegates to commit to existing environmental protocols that aim to mitigate climate change, reduce air pollution, and conserve ecosystems.
He emphasized that overcoming the environmental challenges that threaten biodiversity, human populations, and the global economy requires robust cooperation among UN member states.
The Prime Minister highlighted Rwanda’s environmental commitment, noting that the country has ratified over 16 international environmental treaties and has faithfully executed its obligations under these agreements.
Rwanda’s diligent implementation of these conventions serves as a model for international cooperation on environmental issues.
Dr. Ngirente stressed the limitations of individual nations in effecting significant environmental change, underscoring the necessity of collaborative international efforts.
Furthermore, Dr. Ngirente pointed to Rwanda’s active role in the High Ambition Coalition, focusing on reducing plastic usage as part of a broader strategy to safeguard the environment.
This initiative follows the adoption of an international project to address plastic pollution at the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, co-led by Rwanda and Peru, showcasing a commitment to collaborative international environmental governance.
-
Belgium’s Prime Minister rejects DRC’s request for sanctions against Rwanda amid M23 accusations
Tshisekedi arrived in Belgium on February 28, 2024, from Luanda, Angola, where he had discussions with his counterpart, João Lourenço, about the ongoing conflict in North Kivu Province.
After being received by De Croo, when journalists asked him about his request to Belgium, he responded, “What I would ask for Rwanda is sanctions.”
De Croo indicated that imposing sanctions on Rwanda was not feasible, explaining that there were ongoing discussions within this bloc to sanction individuals directly involved with M23.
The Belgian Prime Minister highlighted that while Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, the DRC government also supports armed groups, and that the priority should be to stop the fighting.
He stated, “The DRC must stop supporting other armed groups. The most important thing right now is that the fighting stops. The conflict has lasted too long and has had significant consequences.”
The DRC government has been trying to pressure the EU to side with it, leveraging its relationship with Belgium, which currently leads the organization. However, the leadership has responded that it cannot take sides in these conflicts.
-
Gvt waives penalties for voluntary disclosure of unpaid taxes
In a press conference on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Pascal Ruganintwali, the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Revenue Authority, stated that the decree aims to encourage those who were afraid of being penalized to come forward with information about their tax liabilities.
The decree allows taxpayers to disclose unpaid taxes to the Rwanda Revenue Authority without facing the usual penalties, addressing the fear among some taxpayers of admitting to undeclared taxes.
Ruganintwali explained that the decision was made after recognizing a persistent issue where individuals knew they owed taxes but were afraid to come forward due to late submission, as the law previously mandated penalties.
This decision comes as Rwanda has joined the Global Forum, which facilitates international cooperation among countries in tax matters.
This membership allows Rwanda to request tax information on Rwandans working abroad and foreigners operating in Rwanda who have business interests in the country, enabling the tax authority to levy taxes on these incomes.
Ruganintwali highlighted that the decree would help those who have not declared certain types of taxes or other taxes to inform the Rwanda Revenue Authority and pay their dues without being penalized.
He further explained that any Rwandan or person operating in Rwanda who has undeclared taxes but has not yet been audited can disclose and pay these taxes under this decree.
Additionally, the decree assists individuals who have already undergone audits but where undeclared taxes were not identified.They can now disclose these taxes without facing penalties or late payment fees.
The decision covers various types of taxes, including payroll taxes and income taxes, among others.
The Rwanda Revenue Authority announced that for the fiscal year 2023/2024, it has been tasked with collecting taxes and duties amounting to 2.637 trillion Rwandan Francs, which represents 52.4% of the total budget of 5.030,1 trillion Rwandan Francs.
-
EU calls on DRC to initiate dialogue with M23 to foster peace in North Kivu
The message, delivered by Josep Borell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who was represented before the legislative assembly by Jutta Urpilainen on February 27, 2024.
Jutta, the EU Commissioner in charge of international partnerships, informed the assembly members that the EU is concerned about the ongoing conflict in North Kivu, the acts of violence occurring there, and the resulting displacement of people.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the President of the African Union (AU) Commission, had stated on February 21, 2024, that the situation in North Kivu does not require military action but rather political dialogue that is inclusive.
Jutta announced the EU’s support for Faki’s message, saying, “We support the message of the AU Commission President on February 21: no military solution is needed for this issue. Only political dialogue can address the root causes of insecurity and unrest.”
The EU Commissioner also highlighted to the assembly members that it is crucial to adhere to the resolutions made in the dialogues held in Luanda, Angola, and Nairobi, Kenya, adding that the sovereignty, unity, and independence of the countries in the Great Lakes region should be respected.
She stated, “The EU firmly supports the Luanda and Nairobi dialogues and calls for their prompt resumption. The agreed-upon frameworks must be respected, and the monitoring mechanisms should be reactivated.”
This message from Borell was conveyed to the EU Parliament while the government of the DRC had excluded M23 from the Nairobi talks that began in April 2022. The government also steadfastly maintained that it could not meet with representatives of this group in Luanda.
As the conflict continues, M23 has repeatedly expressed its desire to engage in talks with the DRC government. The EU Commissioner told the assembly that it is imperative for the group to cease hostilities and lay down its arms.
-
Xi stresses contributing to Chinese modernization with solid actions
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in the preface he wrote to the reading materials for the sixth group of trainee officials.
Noting that Chinese modernization opens a new path for humanity toward modernization and creates a new form of human advancement, Xi said it is both a glorious historical mission and a severe realistic test for the Party.
Xi underlined efforts to truly master the key skills of Marxism and to ensure political unity and unity in action with a high-level unity in thinking.
He also urged comprehensively enhancing the officials’ political competence as well as their leadership caliber and working ability in line with the advancement of Chinese modernization.
The purpose of learning the Party’s theoretical innovations is to apply them to practice, Xi noted.
Xi further emphasized the necessity for officials at all levels to maintain their focus on addressing obstacles hindering high-quality development, addressing issues drawing public grievances, and resolving prominent problems in the process of Party building.
“Efforts should be made to effectively prevent and diffuse major risks and work in innovative ways, thus transforming the blueprint mapped out at the 20th CPC National Congress into reality,” Xi said.
The reading materials for the sixth group of trainee officials, currently awaiting publication, consist of nine publications. Among them, four books are intended for theoretical study, while five focus on selected cases concerning the promotion and expansion of Chinese modernization. These cases span a range of topics, including the economy, education, rule of law, culture, and national security.
-
GLOBALink | President Xi welcomes Sierra Leonean counterpart Bio
[Click here to watch the video
->https://english.news.cn/20240228/b5ef09cb98424167ad7f4c8ceb726cca/c.html] -
GLOBALink | Sierra Leone-China friendship delivers tangible results, says minister
[ Click the link below to watch the video->https://english.news.cn/20240228/36f25942db4b4cad96faf839b9b004a7/c.html]
-
Xi holds talks with Sierra Leonean president
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, China and Sierra Leone have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, carried out efficient cooperation in the field of economic and social development, and maintained close coordination on international affairs, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has said.
It is believed that this visit will inject new impetus into the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-Sierra Leone ties, and push for more achievements in the friendly cooperation between the two countries.
-
Over 200 Burundian soldiers detained for refusing to fight M23 in Congo
The American news agency, Associated Press, reported on February 28, 2024, that these arrests took place in the provinces of Bururi, Rumonge, Ngozi, and Ruyigi for charges including “mutiny and refusal to follow battle orders.”
All of them have been interrogated by the prosecution.
The Bururi prison holds 21 soldiers, Rumonge has 103, the Ngozi detention center contains 84, while 34 are detained in Ruyigi.
Most of these soldiers were removed from the DRC and have been imprisoned since December 2023, based on an order from the military headquarters.
The Burundian forces began to join the DRC’s fight against M23 in October 2023, following a military agreement between the two countries signed in August of that year.
The coalition fighting on the side of the DRC government expanded to include forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), United Nations peacekeeping missions, mercenaries, and armed groups including those from Wazalendo and FDLR.
A Captain who deserted the Burundian military told the news agency that the conflict their colleagues are participating in in the DRC is baseless, as those sent do not understand what they are fighting for.
He stated, “For a soldier to go to battle, they should at least know why they are there. It’s also important to understand our strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the enemy we face. But we were asked to fight blindly.”
A senior Burundian military officer confirmed that indeed many soldiers are imprisoned for refusing to fight M23, and some have been dismissed from the military for this reason, while others have been acquitted.
“Some have already been dismissed from the military, but there are also those who have been acquitted. There’s no secret, many soldiers are imprisoned for this reason,” he said.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, on December 29, 2023, confirmed that there are soldiers assisting the DRC government in fighting M23, denying the arrest of those who refused to fight.
The President explained that those detained were due to violations of military code of conduct, stating that it’s a common occurrence in the Burundian military and elsewhere in the world.
President Ndayishimiye also acknowledged the loss of soldiers in this war, emphasizing that no soldier goes to battle with the intention of dying.