RWANDAN President Paul Kagame greeted visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping today by praising Beijing’s treatment of Africa “as an equal,” calling it “a revolutionary posture in world affairs” and “more precious than money.”

Mr Kagame was speaking after he signed bilateral agreements with the visiting Chinese president.

Mr Xi arrived in Rwanda from Senegal last night and will also visit Mauritius and South Africa, where he will attend a Johannesburg summit of the Brics bloc of emerging economies starting tomorrow.

Under Mr Kagame’s leadership, said Mr Xi, Rwanda has embarked on a path of development suited to its realities, achieved long-term social stability and fast economic growth, and is enjoying increasing influence in the region and beyond.

While in the country, the Chinese president is expected to witness the signing of 15 bilateral pacts, with visa exemption for diplomatic and service passport holders, culture and scientific operations and Silk Road Economic Belt co-operation among the area covered.

The two countries will also co-operate on an exchange of geological surveys and the expansion of Masaka hospital, plus they will sign agreements on a concessional loan to build the Huye-Kibeho road and another loan for the Bugesera International Airport access road project.

China is one of Rwanda’s biggest sources of foreign direct investments, most of them in the manufacturing and property sectors.

China is also home to some 1,300 Rwandans, including students in the country’s higher education institutions.

Mr Xi’s weekend visit to Senegal, including talks with President Macky Sall, also proved successful, with both leaders speaking highly of the development of bilateral ties in recent years and agreeing to continue joint efforts to promote more fruitful results from co-operation in various fields.

Bilateral ties, based on solidarity, mutual trust, mutual respect, win-win and mutual benefit, are strong and satisfactory, said the Senegalese president.

Senegal has become the first African state to support China's Belt and Road Initiative and stands ready to vigorously participate in connectivity construction, said Mr Sall.

Tomorrow’s 10th Brics summit in Johannesburg will also be attended by heads of state from Angola, Ethiopia, Zambia, Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda and Gabon.