Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei delivers a speech at the reception to mark the approaching Chinese Spring Festival in Kigali, captial city of Rwanda, on Feb. 8, 2018. The year 2017 is of "historic significance" to China-Rwanda relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei on Thursday in Rwanda's capital city Kigali. (Xinhua/T. Kisambira)

KIGALI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The year 2017 is of "historic significance" to China-Rwanda relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei on Thursday in Rwanda's capital city Kigali.

Frequent high-level interactions and growing mutual trust show the strong political guidance for the ties between China and Rwanda, said Rao at the reception celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival hosted by the Chinese embassy.

China-Rwanda cooperation has become more tangible with more diversified outcomes across the board, from trade to investment, from public health to education, from tourism to people-to-people exchanges, said the envoy.

Rao said he is confident that 2018 will witness further enhancement of China-Rwanda relations.

"China welcomes Rwanda and African countries aboard the 'express train' of China's rapid growth," said Rao, adding that China will encourage more investment and productivity collaboration between the two countries.

Around 300 people from all walks of life of Rwanda, diplomatic corps and international organizations, Chinese funded-institutions and overseas Chinese in Rwanda attended the reception.