KIGALI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article published Saturday in the mainstream Rwandan newspaper The New Times has met with great acclaim in the African country.

Titled "China and Rwanda: A Friendship Higher than Mountains," the article praised Rwanda's accomplishments in its development and indicated directions for future cooperation.

The article, which appreciates the Rwandan people's brave and hardworking nature, shows that Xi cares about the Rwandan people, said Gerald Mbanda, head of the Media Affairs and Communication Department at Rwanda Governance Board.

As the first Chinese president to visit Rwanda, Xi said he was looking forward to the visit. That, Mbanda told Xinhua, indicates Xi's hope to bring bilateral relations to a new level.

Citing the statement that China supports the development path Rwanda has independently chosen, Mbanda said that shows China's respect for the African country.

It is also encouraging to the Rwandan people that Xi voiced China's support for Rwanda, as the rotating chair of the African Union, to play a bigger role in upholding African unity and promoting its development, Mbanda said.

"There is no other visiting leader who has written an article of this kind! That's why it is classy and considerate!" said the official.

Ladislas Ngendahimana, a political scholar, said he had read the article with a keen interest. "I really appreciated President Xi Jinping for his openness and commitment to developing cooperation between China and Rwanda based on mutual trust and respect."

In the eyes of Magnus Mazimpaka, chief editor of Taarifa, a news website in Rwanda, major highlights of the article include the proposal to advance cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, mining and education.

After reading the article, Emmanuel Nkangura, a Rwandan journalist with Isango Star Radio, said the very impressive content reflects what is happening on the ground, which shows that Rwanda-China ties are growing stronger.

"The article provides an opportunity for both the Rwandan and Chinese people to know the positive impacts of the bilateral relations," he added.

"It is indeed 'a friendship higher than mountains,' as Xi Jinping stated," he said.