Author: admin

Kanyabayonga, located in the Lubero territory of North Kivu province, was seized on the afternoon of June 28, 2024, following nearly a month of fighting between M23 fighters and the Congolese army on its outskirts.

After capturing Kanyabayonga, M23 fighters drove the Congolese army out of their positions in Kirumba, forcing them to retreat towards Butembo, considered the second wealthiest city in North Kivu after Goma.

On the evening of June 29, President Tshisekedi held an urgent military meeting to discuss how the government could reclaim Kanyabayonga and other areas taken by M23. Following the meeting, the President assured the public that he would take all necessary measures to remove these fighters from the occupied areas.

Prince Epenge, the spokesperson for LAMUKA, stated that Tshisekedi must clarify his plans to reclaim the territories controlled by M23 and to prevent the group from capturing additional areas.

Epenge said, “The LAMUKA coalition demands Mr. Tshisekedi provide an explanation to inform us about what he is doing in the east and what he plans to do to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

Epenge further mentioned that the DRC government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens so they can engage in livelihood and development activities without being hindered by armed groups, including the ADF from Uganda and the FDLR opposing the Rwandan government.

“The people want to go to their fields, but they need assurance that they won’t be beheaded or killed by the ADF and FDLR,” he stated.

Kanyabayonga is a crucial area as it serves as a commercial hub in North Kivu province. It joins other regions captured by M23, including the city of Bunagana and the Rubaya area, which is rich in Coltan, a valuable mineral.

Esther Muhozi

The state-of-the-art facility, renovated for $160 million, was officially opened by President Paul Kagame on Rwanda’s Independence Day.

The CAF boss was among the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony, which featured a trophy match between APR FC and Police FC to mark the inauguration. APR FC lifted the trophy after beating Police FC 1-0.

Commenting on the renovations that included equipping the stadium with modern facilities and expanding its capacity from 25,000 to 45,000, Motsepe said Rwandans and Africans should be “so proud” of President Kagame for “birthing the best stadium”.

“This is one of the most beautiful, one of the best stadiums in Africa and in the world. We as Rwandans, we as Africans, should be so proud and thank our president for his leadership and birthing the best stadium,” remarked the CAF president two weeks after CAF approved Amahoro Stadium for use in all upcoming CAF and FIFA competitions, confirming that the newly refurbished facility meets all required standards.

He expressed confidence that the sporting facility will empower local talent to reach their full potential and increase sporting competition not just in Rwanda but across the continent.

“The next time I come here, I want to see the national team of Rwanda playing against the best national teams of countries in Africa. With your support, with your love, and with the talent and sports talent we have in Rwanda, we are going to win. Rwanda will win. Rwanda will be the best in Africa,” he stated, adding, “I want to say to my brother President Kagame, thank you for your commitment, thank you for your love, thank you for your sacrifices to improve and make the lives of our people in Rwanda amongst the best in Africa, and this beautiful stadium is a reflection of the people of Rwanda.”

On his part, President Kagame said the renovation works at Amahoro Stadium were inspired by Motsepe and his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino

“Let me thank the president of CAF, my brother Patrice Mosepe, together with another brother and friend, President of FIFA Gianni Infantino. The two inspired us to put up a good sporting facility like this one. They have done many things to support Rwanda and other brotherly African countries and beyond to raise the kind of football through availing this kind of facility to many countries so that the young people of Africa can have where to develop and exercise the huge talent we have on our continent,” President Kagame averred.

Kagame said the stadium will help retain talent and challenged the youth to take advantage of the facility to grow their sporting careers both locally and abroad.

“In fact, this (development of the stadium) will lead to more retention of our best talents instead of exporting them all the time. But people will still remain free to go wherever they want to be, but they can also look at home for such retention and development of what they want to do.

“There is no excuse for our young footballing talent. You have to work hard, you have to work smart, and let us be counted among the best on our continent,” he added.

Amahoro Stadium has been undergoing a facelift since August 2022, with Turkish construction company Summa undertaking the renovations.

Besides the football turf with a cutting-edge hybrid surface, blending natural grass and artificial turf, Amahoro boasts an eight-lane track for athletics events, a paralympic gymnasium, and training facilities for football, handball, and volleyball.

The sports arena has also been fitted with various amenities, including VIP lounges, an Amavubi bar, dressing rooms, washrooms, coaches’ offices, a massage room, a changing room, and a FIFA office.

Additionally, there are rooms for match officials, a medical room, a doping control room, a staff management room, and a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Room, among others.

The CAF boss was among the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony, which featured a trophy match between APR FC and Police FC to mark the inauguration.

President Kagame and CAF President Patrice Motsepe follow the match between APR FC and Police FC at Amahoro Stadium.

President Kagame said the renovation works at Amahoro Stadium were inspired by Motsepe and his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Participants in the CIPCC program embarked on a comprehensive tour of China, visiting 12 provinces, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Fujian. They experienced the country’s diverse culture, history, and modern advancements. Key moments of the program included, visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, leading Chinese companies, and participation in significant international forums, among others showcasing China’s role in global cooperation and development.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Hua Chunying highlighted that while four months may seem short, the journalists gained a rich and immersive experience in China. “I am sure you now know more about China than many foreign friends who have come to China dozens of times,” Hua stated, welcoming graduates to feel at home whenever they return to China.

China is now considered a locomotive of global growth. According to the World Bank, from 2013 to 2021, China contributed 38.6 percent to global growth, more than the G7 countries combined. Hua emphasized that China will maintain its contribution to the global development landscape.

'Through your journey in China, you can see that China’s high-quality development and high-standard opening up are closely linked to the world. China’s development has and will continue to bring more opportunities for the world,' she stated.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of CIPCC. Since its inception, the program organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), has seen the participation of 620 journalists from 141 countries, evolving from a regional press center to a global initiative.

Also present at the event, was the CDPA President Wu Hailong who underscored journalists’ role in countering untruthful stories.

He expressed optimism that with the deepening of participants’ observation, knowledge, and understanding of China, they will continue to introduce the real China to their respective countries, regions, and the world.

“Western media write numerous untruthful stories that defame China and are self-defeating. The China story you tell will be more authentic, convincing, credible, and easily recognized and accepted,” he added.

As the ceremony concluded, there was a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for future engagements. The journalists left with a deeper understanding of China, ready to share their experiences and foster global dialogue.

The closing ceremony took place at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

CDPA President Wu Hailong underscored journalists’ role in countering untruthful stories.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying delivering remarks at the event.

Théophile Niyitegeka

It has been quite some time that western politicians and media outlets started to play up the allegation of China’s overcapacity in electric vehicles and other new energy industries.

On June 12, the European Commission announced that it will impose extra duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric cars, following the US plans to quadruple duties for Chinese EVs to 100%.

Those tariff barriers come with little factual basis. Without an internal applicant from the industry, and regardless of WTO rules, the European Commission has forged and exaggerated “subsidy” projects, abused the rule of “Facts Available” and slandered about Chinese subsidies.

To be honest, the prices of Chinese EVs are higher in many western countries than in domestic market. There is little effect of the 'subsidy' given the sales condition. The competitiveness of China’s EV and new energy industry overall, comes from the innovation and high efficiency of Chinese enterprises. It is rooted in the large-scale market, complete industrial systems and plentiful human resources of China.

China’s new energy industry is far from overcapacity, either judging from a domestic perspective or from a global perspective. In 2023, there are 435 million motor vehicles in China, of which only 20.4 million are new energy ones and 15.5 million are pure electric.

Apparently, the proportion is still low. The export of China’s new energy vehicles accounted for only 12.5% of the total production and the sales accounted for only 8% of global volume.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in order to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, global new energy vehicle sales need to reach about 45 million in 2030, more than three times the number in 2023. Global demand for power batteries will reach 3,500 GWh, more than four times the global shipments in 2023. It means that the world including China needs further development to meet a greater market demand, especially that in developing countries.

It is sheer double standard that some western countries are subsidizing their EV manufacturers and other renewable energy products while they are in a hurry to imposing tariffs on Chinese products.

It is clear hypocrisy that they are trying to force China and other developing countries to shoulder excessive responsibilities of emission reduction, while preventing developing countries to build up their own renewable energy industries.

Certainly, the double standard and hypocrisy are nothing new. Those western countries have selling the fallacy about China’s so-called “overcapacity” as early as the 2000s. When China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), some western politicians regarded China’s high-quality exports with reasonable price as a threat, not benefit for western consumers. After the “Belt and Road” initiative was proposed, some people repeatedly smeared Chinese public goods and services for their own interest.

In recent years, China’s new energy industry enters a “fast lane”. The export of new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products reached a trillion yuan for the first time, up nearly 30% in 2023. Those people came again, besmirching China’s new energy with arguments like “enormous export means overcapacity”.

Those illogical and irrational actions go against the market. While some countries are restricting China’s export on the supply end, the overseas market demand of Chinese products including EVs keeps surging. While the same countries are impeding their suppliers from exporting to China, especially in hi-tech industries like chips, the Chinese market is also in great demand.

It is a simple fact that world’s leading manufacturers are seeking to set up factories in China and many countries are vying for the investment from China and job opportunities created thus. There are mutual needs instead of overcapacity. We shall let the trade flow rather than trenching us with trade protectionism. The cliché of so-called overcapacity will disrupt the stability of the global supply chain, impede international trade, and hinder the green transformation of the global economy, resulting in a lose-lose situation.

We have all learned the historical lessons of trade protectionism, all embarked on the shared journey of globalization and integration, and are all aware of the importance of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation.

Therefore, it will be in the interests of every countries, to foster a fair international environment for trade and competition, and jointly protect stable industrial and supply chains, rather than disguising trade protectionism and double standard as overcapacity, or other easy excuses.

Wang Xuekun is the Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda.

Amb. Wang Xuekun

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Xinhua

Click this link to watch the video

Xinhua

He conceded that most of the problems Rwanda has faced are due to 'stupid' leaders who previously held positions in the country’s topmost offices.

'These former leaders of our country were very stupid. That’s why we ended up facing political mayhem the way we did. This had so many negative effects on so many of us but we are working hard to reverse that,' he said.

Amid endless cheers and applause from ecstatic supporters, Kagame implored the public to wisely exercise their constitutional rights by choosing leaders who will steer the country forward.

The incumbent Head of State, who is seeking re-election on July 15, has already campaigned in all districts in the Western and Southern provinces. He has also campaigned at one site in the Northern Province and Kigali City respectively.

He is expected to take his campaign to the districts of Bugesera, Nyagatare, Gakenke, Kayonza Gicumbi and some parts of Kigali in the coming days.

Today, Kagame thanked thousands of residents who turned up to express dedication, support and love for their favorite candidate.

'I thank you so much for coming in large numbers. This demystifies critics who keep saying that we force people to turn up for our campaigns,' he noted.

According to him Rwanda’s future lies in the hands of the youth which is why they have to be empowered and equipped with all the necessary tools and skills to enable individual growth and personal development.

President Kagame expressed optimism that by building on what has been achieved so far, the country’s development is certainly destined for greater heights.

President Paul Kagame being cheered on by RPF-Inkotanyi Supporters on his campaign trail

RPF-Inkotanyi Supporters have shown a lot of support for their Presidential Candidate

By Sam K Nkurunziza

As founding members of the SCO, China and Kazakhstan have always played active roles as advocates, promoters, and contributors to the development of the SCO and cooperation across various fields, he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Over the years, the two countries have closely cooperated, promoting the SCO to actively adapt to the evolving international situation and the needs of member countries, he said, adding that the two countries have vigorously deepened mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, transportation, energy, agriculture, science and technology, education, and culture, and promoted high-quality development of the Belt and Road cooperation.

Several SCO member countries are also participants in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he said, adding that the political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation under the SCO framework highly conforms to the five major areas of the BRI, namely policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and closer people-to-people ties.

The Shanghai Spirit practiced by the SCO also aligns closely with the core values of the Silk Road Spirit, he added.

The SCO has established a comprehensive security cooperation mechanism, including joint drug control, combating the “three forces” — terrorism, separatism, and extremism, as well as transnational organized crime, and provided a solid security shield for the BRI, he said.

SCO member countries are committed to cooperation in science and technology, culture, education, tourism, environmental protection, and health, laying a solid foundation of public support for the BRI, said the ambassador.

The SCO’s practical cooperation is increasingly deepening, not only promoting economic development and improving people’s livelihoods in related countries but also providing important support and continuous momentum to the enhancement and upgrading of the BRI, he said.

Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have withstood the test of changing international dynamics and achieved new breakthroughs.

Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the cooperation mechanisms at various levels between China and Kazakhstan have been operating smoothly, with new breakthroughs continuously made in various fields, injecting new momentum into the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, he said.

Noting that both countries firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and in safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, Zhang said they also resolutely oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs and double standards, while pursuing cooperation through practical actions for common development despite differences among civilizations and social systems.

Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan have yielded fruitful results in the Belt and Road cooperation, and enhanced cooperation in fields such as automobile manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, new energy, cultural exchanges, and higher education.

The two countries closely cooperate within the frameworks of the United Nations, the SCO, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and the China-Central Asia mechanism, practicing true multilateralism and jointly promoting the international governance system to develop in a more just and reasonable direction, he added.

The ambassador said that the two countries have been continuously deepening people-to-people exchanges, achieving fruitful products in education, science and technology, culture, tourism, and archaeology cooperation.

The two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, create more efficient and convenient platforms to this end, and lay a more solid foundation of public support for developing the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

He said that China-Kazakhstan relations have entered a new “golden 30 years” facing new opportunities and challenges.

Taking President Xi Jinping’s coming visit as an opportunity, China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to strengthen strategy alignment and policy coordination, deepen mutual political trust, and jointly build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, strong mutual trust and solidarity, so as to make joint contributions to regional and global stability and development, he added.

Xinhua

As leaders of the SCO prepare to meet here for a new gathering, the question remains relevant as the world is increasingly defined by geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty.

Against this context, the SCO’s growing cooperation and commitment to enhancing connectivity is a strong example of unity and progress achieved through working together.

It keeps the region safe and makes important contributions to world peace, prosperity, and long-term progress in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Since its inception in China’s Shanghai in 2001, the SCO has expanded from a regional organization with six members into a trans-regional organization with nine full members, three observer countries, and 14 dialogue partners, covering over 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass and nearly half of the world’s population.

This remarkable growth underscores the SCO’s importance as a platform for fostering multilateral cooperation and addressing shared challenges.

In a world grappling with rising bloc confrontations and isolationist tendencies, the SCO stands as a steadfast advocate for connectivity and cooperation, as well as openness and inclusiveness.

The SCO’s structure facilitates a wide range of initiatives aimed at increasing connectivity and deepening cooperation. For example, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, illustrates the organization’s dedication to cooperative security.

Through joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated efforts to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, the SCO enhances regional security and stability. This cooperative security framework has reduced the potential for conflicts and fostered a safer environment for all member states.

As a trans-regional cooperation mechanism, the SCO not only focuses on security but also on economic connectivity. This dual focus contributes to a stable and prosperous environment throughout the broad Eurasian region, encouraging sustainable development and improving the quality of life for its people.

For years, economic initiatives like the SCO Business Council and the SCO Interbank Consortium have promoted trade and investment among its member countries, and the SCO’s commitment to economic connectivity and integration is further demonstrated through its support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

With its location and diverse membership, the SCO is a key partner of the BRI, and the BRI cooperation has facilitated the development of transport corridors, energy projects, and communication networks that link SCO member states and beyond.

A prime example is the agreement on constructing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, reached in early June. Once completed, this railway will significantly shorten the time required to transport Central Asian products to major global markets. It will also facilitate the integration of Central Asia into global industrial and supply chains, thereby boosting regional development.

As SCO countries enhance their cooperation, the organization is poised to play an even greater role in shaping regional dynamics, not just through security and economic cooperation, but also by enhancing mutual understanding among its member countries.

By promoting educational exchanges, tourism, and cultural events, the SCO helps break down barriers and build bridges between diverse cultures.

As a network of universities from SCO member states that cooperate on research and education, the SCO University enhances academic and professional opportunities and builds a foundation for long-term cooperation and goodwill among future leaders.

Overall, this holistic approach has underscored the SCO’s commitment to fostering a stable, prosperous, and interconnected region, and highlighted the lasting vitality of SCO’s bedrock principle — the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the SCO’s steadfast commitment to connectivity, cooperation, and multilateralism offers a beacon of hope for a more harmonious and prosperous future.

Xinhua

Xi’s trip, which includes a state visit to Kazakhstan and attending the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, bears great significance, Shaimergenova said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

“President Xi’s presence at the summit highlights China’s leadership role and its vision for a more interconnected and prosperous region,” she said.

The visit also demonstrates China’s focus on regional cooperation and its strategic interests in the region, and will “strengthen the unity and effectiveness of the SCO,” she added.

The expert noted that over 23 years since its establishment, the SCO has successfully developed an effective model for maintaining and strengthening regional security, and has also “become a driving force for economic integration and development.”

“Member states have leveraged the organization’s strengths to deepen trade ties, enhance connectivity, and unlock investment opportunities,” she said.

Meanwhile, she pointed out that Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO during the past year came amid increasing geopolitical tensions, growing challenges, and the risk of worsening and new conflicts.

Despite all the challenges, “Kazakhstan will make every effort to modernize the organization and further transform it into a more effective multilateral platform to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and traditional ties of friendship between SCO member states,” she said.

Relations between Kazakhstan and China have also been steadily progressing in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, and a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The leaders of both countries have opened a new “golden 30 years” of bilateral cooperation, Shaimergenova said.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has visited China three times since 2023, and the mutual trade turnover between the two countries has reached an unprecedented level of 41 billion U.S. dollars last year, she said.

Kazakhstan and China must develop comprehensive cooperation in key areas such as trade, economy, energy, finance, transport, nuclear industry, mechanical engineering, tourism, e-commerce, and high technology, according to the expert.

“Kazakhstan and China are close neighbors, true friends, and partners. Today, both countries are at a key stage of their development and revival,” she said.

Joint work of the SCO member states will bring tangible benefits, which will contribute to long-term peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region, said the expert.

Xinhua