For a long time, benefiting from the deep-rooted brotherly friendship between China and Rwanda, the two countries have continuously deepened practical cooperation in various economic and social fields under the jointly building initiatives for peace, security, development, and governance, as well as within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Both sides have achieved sustained and rapid development, particularly in traditional and emerging areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, human resources, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and green development.
Enterprises from both countries actively share market resources and development experiences, continuously innovate cooperation models and channels, and actively engage in third-party cooperation, making positive and greater contributions to advancing the economies of both sides, the region, and even the world.
The shared economic development between China and Rwanda and the mutually enterprises between China and the mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises of both countries are rooted in a sound bilateral environment, yet they also depend on a stable multilateral environment.
Currently, certain countries are abusing tariff measures, severely undermining global economic and trade order. The multilateral trading system is facing unprecedented challenges, while uncertainty and instability in the global economy are on the rise.
As a responsible major developing country, China has consistently adhered to the development philosophy of extensive consultation, joint contribution ans shared benefits. China will always uphold true multilateralism, support the rules-based multilateral trading system, actively participate in the WTO reform process, firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, better bridge the North-South development gap, promote the improvement of global economic governance, and build an open global economy.
China is the world's largest developing country, and issues of unbalanced and inadequate development persist. Development remains China's foremost priority. While advancing its own development, China is committed to continuously injecting new momentum and energy into promoting global economic growth and upholding the world economic order.
On September 23, 2025, local time, Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China solemnly declared to the world while attending events related to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly that China, as a responsible major developing country, will not seek new special and differential treatment in the current and future negotiations of the World Trade Organization.
China joined the WTO as a developing member, and enjoying special and differential treatment is its legitimate institutional right. Since joining the WTO, China has actively participated in multilateral trade negotiations, autonomously and pragmatically handled special and differential treatment based on its own development level and capacity, and made important contributions to achieving multiple WTO negotiation outcomes and promoting global trade liberalization and facilitation.
The significant measure announced by China carries distinct developmental attributes. It will help the multilateral trading system to better focus on development issues, enhance the inclusivity of international trade, and better bridge the North-South development divide, thereby fulfilling the WTO's original purpose of promoting global development.
China's position in the current and future WTO negotiations remains unchanged in three aspects: its status as a developing member will not change, its resolve to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members will not change, and its stance on promoting global trade and investment liberalization and facilitation will not change. On the issue of special and differential treatment, China has always stood together with other developing members of the WTO, firmly safeguarding the fairness and inclusiveness of the multilateral trading system.
Rwanda is one of the fastest-growing nations in Africa, dedicated to economic innovation and growth through market-oriented reforms, privatization, trade liberalization, and the attraction of foreign investment. The country emphasizes private sector development, infrastructure enhancement, and high-yield agriculture.
Rwanda has achieved sustained social stability and long-term economic growth, becoming one of the few African countries to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It offers a favorable environment and abundant opportunities for enterprises worldwide, including those from China. Simultaneously, Rwanda actively engages in international and regional affairs, upholding principles of justice, fairness, equity, and equality.. It continues to contribute positively to maintaining international order and advancing global economic development.
Since establishing diplomatic relations 54 years ago, China and Rwanda have consistently maintained a sincere friendship built on equality, working closely together on bilateral and international matters. This enduring partnership has deepened the bonds between the people of both countries and serves as a exemplary model of South-South Cooperation, our bilateral relations are poised to scale new heights. Our joint commitment to upholding the multilateral trading system and advancing the common development of the Global South will be further fortified, charting an even smoother course toward mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and shared progress.
Gao Zhiqiang
