Rwandan man holds deep affection for Xi'an

A man from the country of Rwandan in Africa has spoken of his deep affection for the city of Xi'an – capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Jean Pierre Mugwaneza, whose Chinese name is Jinzi, has completed his studies, started a career and found love in Xi’an – which he now regards as home and where he wants to build a future.

"My Chinese name was chosen by my Chinese teacher and its meaning is as bright and dazzling as gold," he said.

"I hope this name will bring me good luck and let me realize the double dream of a career and life in Xi'an".

Jean Pierre Mugwaneza from Rwanda is now employed as a foreign expert at China Shaanxi Overseas Engineering Construction Limited Liability Company. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

In 2018, Jinzi applied for a full scholarship and went to China to study for a master's degree in civil engineering at the Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology.

Now he is a foreign expert with China Shaanxi Overseas Engineering Construction Limited Liability Company.

He's also engaged to a Xi'an girl. "I found a career and love in Xi'an and I want to stay here forever," Jinzi said.

Currently, he is mainly responsible for the company's two projects in India. "For me, combining my previous work experience with the knowledge I have learned in China and applying it to overseas projects are a kind of accumulation of experience," he said.

In his spare time, Jinzi has also created an e-commerce website. He said that Alibaba and Rwanda jointly built the first comprehensive e-commerce platform in Africa. As a result, the local people's awareness of online shopping gradually developed and Rwanda has also improved its rural e-commerce.

He also wants to introduce and sell special products from the two countries through the e-commerce platform, such as coffee and tea from Rwanda and oily spicy seeds from Shaanxi.

"Xi'an brings me a sense of relaxation and belonging," Jinzi said. "I enjoy it and love the city more and more".