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Xi made the remarks when meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing. The Irish prime minister is on an official visit to China from Jan. 4 to 8.

Both China and Ireland cherish peace, embrace openness and inclusiveness, and strive for self-reliance and progress, Xi said, adding that the Chinese and Irish people won national independence and liberation through struggles and are advancing toward modernization through sustained efforts of successive generations.

Since the establishment of the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in 2012, bilateral trade volume has quadrupled, with a balanced development in mutual investment, he noted.

Xi said the two countries should maintain friendly exchanges at multiple levels and across diverse fields, continuously enhance communication and mutual understanding, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, consolidate political mutual trust, and solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Over the next five years, China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up. Xi said China is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Ireland, align development strategies in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and medicine and healthcare, promote two-way investment, leverage each other’s strengths, share opportunities and pursue common development.

The two sides should enhance cooperation in education, culture and tourism to foster greater people-to-people affinity, and China welcomes more Irish youth to come to China for study and exchanges, Xi said.

In a world beset with changes and chaos, unilateral and bullying acts are severely undermining the international order, Xi said. All countries should respect the development paths chosen by the peoples of other nations, and abide by international law as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said, stressing that major countries should particularly take the lead in doing so.

As China and Ireland support multilateralism and advocate international fairness and justice, the two countries should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and jointly maintain the authority of the United Nations and make the global governance system more just and equitable, he said.

Xi said China and the EU should bear the long-term picture in mind, uphold the positioning of partnership, and view and handle differences objectively and rationally to work for win-win cooperation.

As Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year, China hopes Ireland will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, the Chinese president said.

Highlighting a profound and long-lasting friendship between the two countries, the Irish prime minister said Xi’s successful visit to Ireland in 2012 had laid a solid foundation for the development of the Ireland-China strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years.

Martin said Ireland firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is committed to developing the strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Ireland is willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, science and technology, biomedicine, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education and other fields, he said.

Martin commended China’s indispensable and important role in international affairs and its positive contributions to upholding the authority of the UN and promoting world peace.

He said that any international dispute should be settled in conformity with international law, and Ireland is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China, safeguard international law, uphold free and open trade, and promote world prosperity and stability.

Noting that the stable development of EU-China relations is of great significance, Martin said the Irish side is willing to play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations.

Xinhua

It is Lee’s first visit to China since he took office, and the two heads of state have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations.

ENHANCING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.

Xi called on both sides to enhance mutual trust, respect each other’s development paths, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation.

Lee said the ROK side hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.

He emphasized that the ROK respects China’s core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle.

Dong Xiangrong, senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that head-of-state diplomacy has played a significant guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear positive signal to foster better bilateral ties, and greatly contributing to deepening political mutual trust and promoting economic and trade cooperation.

In the future, both sides need to accommodate each other’s major concerns including the Taiwan question, and maintain a stable cooperative relationship as important trading partners, Dong said.

ACHIEVING MORE COOPERATION RESULTS

China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said.

He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China.

After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.

Yang Xiyu, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has always been the stabilizer and propeller of the development of bilateral relations.

He said China and the ROK should leverage their long-standing traditional advantages, and strengthen cooperation with a focus on economy, trade, and technology.

BEARING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT

China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.

More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, he said, adding that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

Lee said the ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Dong said amid the recent resurgence of Japanese militarism, China and the ROK should share a common position to maintain regional peace, and the two sides need to jointly address protectionism and defend free trade.

Xinhua

The Extraordinary Meeting of the Specialized Committee of Defense Experts of the ICGLR is expected to lay the groundwork for the Extraordinary Meeting of Chiefs of Defense Forces/Staff scheduled for Friday, followed by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Defense on Saturday.

The meetings aim to forge a unified and coordinated regional response to the security situation in eastern DRC.

Among the key issues under consideration are the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), the terms of reference for the ceasefire, and the oversight and monitoring mechanism signed in Doha.

In his opening remarks, Zambia Army Commander Geoffrey Zyeele said the security challenges facing the region call for strengthened collective efforts, deeper information sharing, and enhanced coordinated cross-border operations.

He noted that armed groups have continued to destabilize peace and security in the region, describing the challenges as immense. “Only through unity of purpose and decisive action can we overcome these destabilizing forces and secure a future of lasting stability for the Great Lakes Region,” Zyeele said.

Zyeele added that the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains precarious, requiring urgent attention, as families are being displaced and communities continue to live under constant threat.

Yasir Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, deputy executive secretary of the ICGLR, said the humanitarian and security situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated significantly, threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and risking peace and stability.

He expressed concern that the situation has worsened following the signing of the Washington Agreements last month, intended to reaffirm commitments to peace and prosperity.

“This underscores the urgent need for all parties to respect their engagements and honor the commitments they have made under regional and international agreements,” he said.

The meeting, he added, is a response to an escalating crisis that demands collective and decisive action.

A meeting of defense experts from member countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) opened on Thursday to deliberate on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Xinhua

The announcement follows concerns from some residents who, upon attempting to pay their land taxes for the year, discovered that rates had increased. Many were unaware of these changes. The land tax rate is now set at Rwf 80 Rwandan Francs per square meter, a significant rise from the previous rate.

In response, the City of Kigali clarified via its official social media platforms that the new rates were approved by the Kigali City Council on February 21, 2025, and are now being enforced.

'These rates replaced those that were last approved by the District Councils in 2017—2018, which had continued to be applied until the end of 2024,' the City of Kigali explained.

The City further stated that, once finalised, the new tax rates were communicated to the public through multiple channels, including the media, social networks, and online platforms.

The new rates were established based on a Ministerial Order issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, which outlines base tax rates for land. Published on November 28, 2023, the order specifies that land tax can range from 0 to 80 Rwandan francs per square meter. Land within Kigali’s Central Business District (CBD), which includes major business and industrial areas, will have tax rates between Rwf 70 and Rwf 80 per square meter. These rates apply to commercial, industrial, and non-residential areas, while residential areas within the CBD are taxed between Rwf 60 and Rwf 80 per square meter.

In less urbanized parts of Kigali, residential areas are taxed between Rwf 40 and Rwf 60 per square meter, and non-residential areas such as business or industrial zones are taxed between Rwf 50 and Rwf 70 per square meter. Agricultural and livestock zones, which are more rural, are taxed between 0 and 0.4 Rwandan francs per square meter.

In areas that have a mix of urban and rural features, such as small business centers or locations with basic infrastructure, residential areas are taxed between Rwf 10 and Rwf 40 per square meter, while non-residential areas such as business and industrial properties are taxed between Rwf 20 and Rwf 50 per square meter.

Finally, rural agricultural zones located between urban and rural areas of Kigali will continue to be taxed between 0 and 0.4 francs per square meter.

The City of Kigali has confirmed that new land tax rates for residents took effect in 2026, replacing the rates that had been in place for the past seven years.

IGIHE

The group included Police Constable Patrick Kithinji and Police Constable Ahmed Ali, both attached to the Tononoka Police Station Crime Office in Kenya. They were reportedly pursuing a suspect wanted in Kenya in connection with an alleged fraud case involving obtaining money by false pretence when they crossed into Tanzanian territory on Tuesday.

Also among those detained were the suspect’s wife, Sophia Menza Mbogo, their driver, Abdikadir Adan, and a government official from the Coast Development Authority, who were travelling together in a Kenyan government vehicle.

At the time of their arrest, Tanzanian authorities confiscated two loaded Ceska pistols, each held by one of the police officers, along with ammunition and the vehicle. The Tanzanian side said the group breached immigration laws and East African Community regulations by entering the United Republic of Tanzania without permission and carrying firearms on foreign soil without prior coordination.

Tanzanian officials stated that the group’s actions violated both national immigration laws and the East African Community One‑Stop Border Post Act, 2016, which governs the operation of joint border controls and requires partner states to coordinate cross‑border activities.

“I would like to confirm that five Kenyans were arrested for conducting the arrest of a suspect in violation of the law and the East African Community One‑Stop Border Post (OSBP) Act of 2016. I request that they be presented for further action,” said Earnest Lukaza, the Tanzanian officer in charge of the One‑Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Lunga Lunga, while confirming the arrest.

The detained Kenyans were initially held at the Horohoro border. A letter from Tanzanian authorities to Kenyan border officials notified them that the individuals entered Tanzania unlawfully and lacked the necessary authority to conduct an arrest on Tanzanian soil.

Following diplomatic engagement between the two countries, the five Kenyans were later handed over to Kenyan authorities at Lunga Lunga.

A file photo of Kenyan police officers during a past operation. Two Kenyan police officers, along with three other nationals, were detained by Tanzanian authorities after crossing the Horohoro One‑Stop Border Post without authorization while attempting to arrest a suspect.

Rania Umutoni

The ceremony was held on January 7, 2026, at the RWABG VII Base Camp in Bria, Sector East, Haute‑Kotto prefecture under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

The medals were presented to personnel from Rwanda Battle Group VII (RWABG VII) and the Rwanda Level II+ Hospital (RWAMED X).

The ceremony was presided over by the MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander, Major General Maychel Asmi, who commended the Rwandan contingents for their professionalism, discipline, and operational effectiveness.

He particularly highlighted their vital role in supporting the electoral process, in line with MINUSCA’s mandate.

Major General Asmi praised RWABG VII for its sustained efforts in securing the Bria, Ouadda, and Sam-Ouandja areas, and commended RWAMED X for providing critical medical services to both United Nations personnel and the local population.

In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ntagara, Contingent Commander of Rwanda Battle Group VII, described the medal parade as one of the highest honours in a military career. He noted that the recognition serves as strong motivation for continued commitment to the mission’s objectives and mandate.

Similarly, Colonel Dr. Simon R. Nyagasaza, Commander of RWAMED X, highlighted the achievements of the Rwandan level 2+ hospital over the past year since their deployment in January 2025. He said that RWAMED X has provided medical services to MINUSCA personnel and local civilians that contributed to the achievement of their mandate.

The United Nations service medals recognize peacekeepers who have completed their tour of duty with distinction, reflecting discipline, courage, and unwavering dedication to the mission.

Rwandan peacekeepers deployed in Bria, Central African Republic (CAR), have been honoured with United Nations service medals in recognition of their dedicated service and commitment to peace and stability in the conflict‑affected country.

Rania Umutoni

The call came at a sensitive moment in the U.S.-Colombia relations, which have been strained over a series of disputes, including disagreements on drug policy and recent U.S. military action in the region. Trump recently called Colombia a “sick man” and suggested military action in the country “sounds good to me.”

According to a Colombian official familiar with the exchange, the leaders discussed issues related to drug trafficking and other disagreements, and both sides considered the dialogue a '180‑degree change' in rhetoric compared with previous statements.

President Trump confirmed the call and described it as 'friendly,' even as tensions had escalated recently with sharp public criticism and accusations traded between the two leaders. Trump’s administration previously accused Petro of failing to control drug production and trafficking, and at times used harsh language in public about Colombia’s leadership.

Petro, who is Colombia’s first left‑leaning president in decades, has also been an outspoken critic of some U.S. policies, particularly military actions in neighbouring Venezuela. He condemned what he described as a violation of regional sovereignty and sharply criticized U.S. military involvement.

Despite the earlier tensions, both Trump and Petro expressed satisfaction with the tone of Wednesday’s call. The leaders agreed that diplomatic engagement was a priority and indicated plans to continue discussions and cooperation, including potentially meeting in Washington in the near future to address shared challenges.

The diplomatic shift comes as both countries face pressure to maintain cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking, regional security, and economic ties. Colombia has historically been a key ally of the United States, particularly in efforts to combat drug cartels and organized crime, and the renewed conversation suggests both governments are seeking to manage tensions and strengthen collaboration.

Analysts note that while the phone call represents a positive sign of diplomatic dialogue, significant issues remain unresolved. Both sides are expected to continue negotiations to find common ground on security concerns and policy differences that have previously driven a wedge between the two nations.

President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro spoke by phone on Wednesday in what both sides described as a positive and constructive conversation, signalling a potential thaw in relations after months of rising diplomatic tensions between the United States and Colombia.

Rania Umutoni

In a statement on Wednesday, the U.S State Department said Washington is 'deeply concerned' by reports that the Federal Government of Somalia authorities demolished a WFP warehouse at Mogadishu port and seized 76 metric tons of food aid. The assistance was funded by U.S. donors and earmarked for some of Somalia’s most at-risk populations.

'The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,' the statement said, stressing the seriousness with which the U.S. views the alleged actions.

The State Department said any resumption of aid will depend on Somalia’s leadership taking accountability for what Washington described as 'unacceptable actions' and implementing appropriate remedial steps.

According to a WFP spokesperson cited by media reports, the demolished warehouse was located at Mogadishu port and had been used to store specialised nutritious foods. The supplies were intended for the treatment of malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as girls and children, groups particularly vulnerable amid Somalia’s prolonged humanitarian crisis.

'The warehouse is crucial for WFP’s emergency operations at a moment when almost a quarter of the population, about 4.4 million people, are facing crisis levels of hunger or worse in Somalia,' the spokesperson said.

The WFP added that it is actively engaging with authorities and partners to address the situation and mitigate the impact on ongoing relief efforts.

Somalia has faced recurring droughts, conflict, and economic instability for decades, leaving millions dependent on international humanitarian assistance. The latest incident raises concerns that disruptions to aid operations could further worsen conditions for civilians already struggling with food insecurity.

U.S. officials have not specified how long the pause in assistance will last, but emphasised that future cooperation hinges on transparency, accountability, and assurances that humanitarian aid reaches its intended recipients.

Somalis queue for World Food Programme aid in Mogadishu in 2011. On January 7, 2026, the U.S. halted assistance to Somalia over alleged seizure of WFP food.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The figures, based on records from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), show that 4,219 women underwent the procedure in 2024 alone, reflecting a steady increase in uptake over the past five years.

Family planning trends in Rwanda

Family planning use in Rwanda continues to rise, with the number of continuing users increasing from 1.57 million in 2019 to 2.06 million by the end of December 2024. Over the same period, hundreds of thousands of new users joined family planning programs each year, highlighting sustained demand for reproductive health services.

Among modern contraceptive methods, implants remain the most popular, with 879,113 continuing users by the end of 2024, up from 571,510 in 2019. In 2024 alone, 212,974 women newly adopted implants, making it the leading method both in uptake and total use.

Injectable contraceptives, mainly Depo-Provera and Noristerat, rank second, with 671,008 continuing users at the end of 2024, including 180,182 new users during the year. Oral contraceptive pills recorded 348,291 continuing users, with 141,205 new users added during the year.

The use of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) also increased, reaching 51,630 continuing users, including 11,990 new users in 2024. Despite the dominance of modern methods, 25,705 people still rely on traditional family planning approaches, such as cycle beads, lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), and auto-observation, which do not require medical procedures or pharmaceutical products.

Women embrace permanent contraception

The number of women opting for tubal ligation has risen sharply over time in Rwanda. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, tied, or cut to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus, thereby eliminating the possibility of fertilisation.

Records show 14,456 continuing users in 2019, increasing to 18,350 in 2020, 20,904 in 2021, 26,285 in 2022, 31,439 in 2023, and finally 35,105 by the end of 2024. This consistent growth suggests increasing acceptance of long-term reproductive decisions, particularly among women who have completed their desired family size.

Low male Participation in permanent contraception

Meanwhile, male involvement in permanent family planning remains limited. By the end of 2024, only 4,432 men had undergone vasectomy, with only 121 procedures recorded during the year. Vasectomy remains the only permanent family planning method available to men and involves blocking the ducts that carry sperm from the testes, preventing fertilisation.

Family planning remains a cornerstone of Rwanda’s strategy to manage population growth, reduce poverty, and improve health outcomes. NISR data show that Rwanda’s population growth rate stood at 2.3% between 2012 and 2022, and projections indicate the population could rise from just over 14.1 million today to more than 22 million by 2050, while the country’s land area remains unchanged.

The average fertility rate for Rwandan women is estimated at 3.6 children per woman, which is significantly higher than the global average fertility rate of 2.3 children per woman. This underscores the importance of sustained investment in reproductive health services.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Among the fresh graduates, 15 specialized in e-commerce, while the remaining 15 pursued electrical automation technology under a program that allowed them to complete two years’ foundational training at RP-Musanze College before spending their final year in China.

For Aimable Tuyishime, a 23-year-old graduate in e-commerce, the year in China was a life-changing experience. “I spent almost a year in China, and now I am back to implement what I studied there,” he said in an interview with Xinhua.

Tuyishime described China’s e-commerce sector as “highly developed,” adding that the teaching approach is strongly practical rather than theoretical.

“We studied all aspects of e-commerce and improved our skills through hands-on experience,” Tuyishime said, adding that the study enabled him to gain extensive, real-world exposure to e-commerce in one of the world’s most advanced digital markets.

During their studies, students interacted with major Chinese e-commerce companies such as Alibaba and regularly used platforms like Pinduoduo, Taobao, and JD.com for online shopping.

Inspired by this experience, Tuyishime is already working toward launching his own e-commerce platform in Rwanda. Together with friends and team members, he is developing a website and application designed to offer Rwandans a similar online shopping experience.

A view of Kigali city in Rwanda.

“This is the right time to put all the skills and experience I gained into practice,” he said, adding that he hopes the platform will have a positive impact on Rwanda’s economy.

Protais Muhire, a graduate in electrical automation technology, also described the year in China as a turning point, saying the exposure to advanced equipment and technologies significantly strengthened his skills.

“In China, I studied programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, robotics, hydraulic and pneumatic systems,” he said.

Muhire highlighted the abundance of training equipment at JUVT, which allowed students from Rwanda to engage deeply in practical work. “We had access to many machines, PLCs, robots, pneumatic and hydraulic components, which helped us apply what we learned in real situations.”

Muhire’s cohort also achieved international recognition. While in China, he, together with other Rwandan and Chinese students, won the Excellence Award at the 2025 World Vocational College Skills Competition Championship Finals.

“This achievement showed us that what we study can be applied in practice and can help our community,” he said, adding that the training received in China is highly relevant to Rwanda’s context, especially as local industries increasingly adopt modern technologies to improve productivity.

Looking ahead, Muhire plans to use his skills to contribute to Rwanda’s industrial development. “Industries are moving from old systems to new automated systems. I want to help upgrade industrial processes using automation technologies like PLCs and robotics,” he said.

Speaking to Xinhua, Qian Xiangming, dean of Musanze International College at JUVT, said that under this program, Rwanda has sent 60 students to JUVT for advanced studies for two consecutive years and the feedback from local employers has been very positive.

“Through this program, we aim to cultivate outstanding local talent, support employment, and enhance the quality and efficiency of vocational education in Rwanda,” he said, adding that the initiative ultimately supports national industrial upgrading and development.

Emile Abayisenga, principal of RP-Musanze College, described the graduation as a moment of pride. “This achievement reflects the strength of international collaboration, industry-driven training, and practical, future-oriented education,” he said.

The skills acquired by the graduates align closely with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy, Abayisenga added.

Qian Xiangming (2nd L), dean of Musanze International College at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology (JUVT), provides employment guidance to Rwandan graduates at a Chinese-funded enterprise in Eastern Province, Rwanda, January 5, 2026.

Xinhua