James Kimonyo, Rwandan Ambassador to China (GE LIJUN) 

James Kimonyo, Rwandan Ambassador to China, in an interview with ChinAfrica during the Third China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from November 4 to 10 in Shanghai, said he has got a lot of inspiration from the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.   

"I am reading the book. I want to read it because I want to understand how, in 40 years, you can do what this country has done," the ambassador said. 

He noted that Rwanda has been independent since more than 50 years ago. In the past 25 years, they have done an amazing job in terms of transformation. And they are very happy with what they have achieved.  

"But we still face a lot of challenges. How do we overcome them? What did China do to lift millions of people out of poverty? We really think this is the model that we want to emulate and see things that can be applicable. We may not be having the resources as China has. But the governance models that have worked for this country can work for us," he continued. 

Kimonyo believes he can learn more from the Chinese President Xi Jinping's thinking in the book. "If you dissect Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, you can see where this country is heading. It's going to be unbeatable by anyone. It's the second-largest economy and probably the largest economy before we know."

In his opinion, governance is very critical to create the environment where the key players in terms of economic transformation and private individuals who are in business and who are innovative and creative can prosper, and to create a space where innovators can pursue their dreams and thinking. 

The ambassador has also read anther book by President Xi Jinping: Up and Out of Poverty, which he thinks that it is very good because of the approach. "You read the book, and you will see exactly what this president stands for and his thinking about transformation."