A new Chinese medical team has been welcomed in Rwanda, where it will replace an outgoing group which has been hailed for its exemplary service to the East African nation.

During a handover ceremony held on Tuesday in Kigali, the 19th China Medical Team handed over operations to the 20^th team after completing a one-year mission in Rwanda.

The outgoing team is credited with performing over 500 surgical operations during its stay in the country, helping provide medical service to many Rwandans in need.

Rwanda's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jean Pierre Nyemazi conveyed a message from the Minister of Health Diane Gashumba at the ceremony, thanking the Chinese government and the Chinese medical team for the support in the health sector and “excellent contribution” to the healthcare in Rwanda respectively.

Nyemazi hailed the impact of the Chinese medical assistance to his country, noting that the Chinese doctors had not only provided medical services, but also helped Rwandan dotors improve their capacity.

The China-Rwanda medical cooperation started in 1982, and has since seen over 250 Chinese doctors serve in the East African country.

In his address on Tuesday, Nyemazi said the government of Rwanda was willing to discuss ways of improving the partnership even further.

The charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, Xing Yuchun, on her part said the medical program was a sign of the strong relations that exist between the two countries.

"The non-stop medical program since 1982 is the demonstration of unbreakable cooperation between Ministry of Health of Rwanda and China's National Health Commission, substantial and fruitful partnership between the two countries, and time-tested friendship between the two peoples," she said.

Nyemazi and Xing presented certificates of honor to members of the 19th medical team at the ceremony.

Generally, the Chinese government started sending Chinese doctors to Africa in 1963. Since then, more than 20,000 Chinese doctors have been deployed across the continent.