This photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows children walking along the Nyange-Muhanga road built by Chinese company Stecol in Muhanga district, Rwanda. (Xinhua/Ju Yinhe)
China’s economy has entered a new phase of high-quality development, injecting stability and vitality into a turbulent world, said Ismael Buchanan, a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Rwanda, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
According to Mr. Buchanan, China has entered a new phase of development where quality prevails over quantity in economic growth, which represents a new strategy and a new development model.
“China is therefore implementing innovation-driven development strategies by focusing on a high level of technological autonomy through technological innovations such as digital infrastructure, smart city systems, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable and green energy, electric vehicles, etc.,” he observed.
Buchanan identified “new quality productive forces” as a key concept for understanding China’s high-quality development, emphasizing that it is a transition to economic growth driven by high technology and high efficiency.
“With the application of advanced technologies such as AI, robotics and quantum computing in production, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in Chinese productivity,” commented the Rwandan expert.
For him, green development is also an essential aspect of high-quality development. Having visited China several times, he recalls that “when one drives through its verdant landscapes today, one sees how the widespread adoption of green technologies and climate-friendly industries has visibly transformed the country.”
A concrete example is China’s massive investment in electric vehicles, which has introduced a new way of life for the Chinese people.
“Even in Rwanda, as in several other African countries, we are seeing more and more Chinese-made electric vehicles and buses on the roads. They are helping African countries fight climate change and improve the environment, while bringing concrete benefits to local communities,” Buchanan said.
This is why, for the Rwandan expert, China’s pursuit of high-quality development generates shared benefits for the whole world, rather than only serving its own interests. For example, China’s zero tariff policy towards 53 African countries represents a significant opportunity for Africa. “For a country like Rwanda, the large Chinese market provides a strong incentive for us to improve our products, which would boost our productivity and competitiveness.”
At the same time, China’s continued investments in knowledge transfer, capacity building and infrastructure are driving Africa’s technological and industrial progress, helping to narrow the development gap.
“China’s efforts to expand its high-level opening-up, illustrated by measures such as the zero-tariff policy and the Belt and Road Initiative, are proving to be a mutually beneficial opportunity,” he noted, adding that African countries should take advantage of this opportunity by actively cooperating with China in sectors such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, healthcare and education.
“In my opinion, China has shown great confidence in engaging with African countries in various sectors. This partnership offers a clear vision that African countries can truly benefit from close collaboration with China to drive progress and growth,” assured the Rwandan expert.
The global economy faces challenges and uncertainties. However, Buchanan said, “no matter how the world develops, China, as a responsible great power, plays a stabilizing role in the world by serving as the main anchor for global supply chains, contributing to steady economic growth and promoting a multipolar governance structure.”
“China promotes high-quality, sustainable development, providing opportunities through its large domestic market and initiatives such as the BRI. Its resilience inspires confidence in the global economy amid instability. As China continues to move forward, its role as a stabilizing force in the global economy will strengthen, fostering global prosperity and international cooperation,” Buchanan concluded.
