On 13 April 2016, a delegation of around 30 staff from the Chinese Embassy in Kigali, headed by the Ambassador of China in Rwanda, Pan Hejun, joined Rwandans to commemorate victims of Genocide against the Tutsi. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about Rwanda’s history and support staff, survivors and their families during this Kwibuka period. Kwibuka is the Kinyarwanda word for remembrance.

At the start of the tour, the delegation paid their respects at the burial place where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide are buried. At the grave site, the Ambassador led the group in observing a moment of silence to remember those killed in the Genocide.

Afterwards, the group visited the exhibition at the memorial, including an exhibit on the Genocide against the Tutsi, an exhibit on genocide around the world and the Children’s Room – a tribute to young people killed in 1994.

At the conclusion of the tour, manager of Kigali Genocide Memorial, Honore Gatera, thanked the Ambassador and the whole delegation for their visit.

“We are very grateful that you came here during this time of commemoration. Rwanda is putting much effort into rebuilding itself, and part of this means that we all have the responsibility to learn about and share the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi so that ‘Never Again’ means just that.”

After visiting the memorial, Ambassador Hejun commended the efforts Rwandans have made to develop over the last 22 years, and said that China stands with Rwandans during this hard time and will continue to support sustainable peace, not only in Rwanda but elsewhere in the world.

“Something we greatly appreciate is that Rwandans have joined hands to rebuild themselves, though they experienced the tragedy of the Genocide. By continuing to put efforts in that, you will also be cultivating sustainable peace inside and outside of the country. So, we are together in that journey.”