Chinese FM meets Rwandan counterpart on bilateral ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday met with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year, President Xi Jinping and President Paul Kagame jointly elevated the China-Rwanda relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two sides issued a joint statement on promoting the implementation of the three global initiatives, providing strong strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations.

He said that China is ready to work with Rwanda to firmly support each other, actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit, take concrete actions to deliver on the Changsha Declaration, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, defend international fairness and justice, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Noting that modernization is not equal to Westernization, Wang said that China is ready to deepen exchanges and mutual learning with Rwanda on governance experience, and jointly explore the paths to modernization that suit their own national conditions, earn public support, and seek self-reliance and strength, so as to improve the well-being of the two peoples and advance progress of the entire world.

He also said that China supports Rwanda's efforts to accelerate the realization of its Vision 2050 and is ready to deepen practical cooperation across various fields with Rwanda, and enhance friendly exchanges at all levels and in all sectors, including between governments, political parties, legislatures, and localities.

Nduhungirehe said that over the past five decades, Rwanda and China have respected each other and maintained friendly relations, achieving positive outcomes in cooperation across various sectors, including roads, electricity, health, and education, adding that the elevation of bilateral relations during last year's Beijing summit has further benefited the Rwandan people.

Rwanda firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to deliver on the outcomes of the summit, especially the ten partnership actions, and jointly move towards an independent and self-reliant path to modernization, he said.

Nduhungirehe also said that Rwanda highly appreciates and actively supports the three major global initiatives put forth by President Xi, which are conducive to building a peaceful and prosperous world.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on peace and security issues in Africa.

Nduhungirehe thanked China for its active commitment to promoting talks for peace and advancing a political solution to the issue of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace in Eastern DRC in its own way.

Chinese FM meets Rwandan counterpart on bilateral ties

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.

In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.

"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.

Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.

Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.

"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.

Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.

Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.

"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.

Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela