Rwanda: Rwanda, China Highlight Growing Military Cooperation

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a New Times report from Kigali, said senior Rwandan and Chinese military officials used an event marking the 99th anniversary of China’s People’s Liberation Army to emphasize expanding defence ties. The celebration took place in Kigali on Thursday, July 22, with officials pointing to cooperation in military education, specialist training and regional security initiatives.

Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame, Chief of Staff of the Reserve Force in the Rwanda Defence Force, said China’s support for professional education and specialized training had helped strengthen Rwanda’s defence capacity. He also framed investment in personnel as important for building more professional and effective armed forces, and said current security challenges make trusted partnerships increasingly valuable.

The report said Capt. (Navy) Li Dayi, the Chinese Embassy’s defence attaché, described Rwanda as a significant partner in China’s defence engagement in Africa. Li said military exchanges, defence-building cooperation and personnel training had deepened mutual trust, and added that Beijing was prepared to broaden practical cooperation with Rwanda and other African countries in areas including training and regional security coordination.

According to the New Times report, more than 300 Rwandan military personnel have graduated from Chinese military institutions over the past decade, while 25 RDF officers received scholarships in fields such as strategic studies, engineering, military science and air defence. The article also noted that President Paul Kagame met in August 2024 with Lt. Gen. Huang Xucong of the PLA’s Central Theater Command to discuss strengthening military cooperation. The development fits within broader Rwanda-China relations, which the report said span infrastructure, trade, health, education and defence.