President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.
President Ruto has taken to his official X account to share the details of his engagement with his Chinese counterpart Jinping.
During the meeting, the two leaders reached various agreements that touched on business and infrastructure development.
Ruto says President Jinping has agreed to give Kenya’s agricultural produce access to the Chinese market.
The Head of State further revealed that Kenya had also agreed to discuss with China regional infrastructure projects such as the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway.
“Held talks with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, ahead of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit,” he stated.
“During the meeting, President Xi agreed to give Kenya’s agricultural produce access to the Chinese market. We also agreed to discuss regional infrastructure projects such as the expansion of SGR, and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway.”
Ruto lauds Kenya-China ties
Ruto in his statement went ahead to laud the Kenya-China ties, stating that they have been mutually beneficial to the two countries, phenomenally transforming Kenya’s railway, road and port infrastructure, and deepening people-to-people exchanges.
He listed the Mombasa-Naivasha SGR and the Nairobi Expressway as some of the projects that have been put up through the Kenya-China bilateral cooperation.
“Kenya and China have excellent and cordial diplomatic relations. These ties have been mutually beneficial to our two countries, phenomenally transforming Kenya’s railway, road and port infrastructure, and deepening people-to-people exchanges,” he stated in his statement shared via X.
“Through our bilateral cooperation with China, the Mombasa-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi Expressway and many rural roads have been built, opening up the country and making Kenya a key transport hub not just in Eastern Africa but the continent.”
Kenya and China have excellent and cordial diplomatic relations. These ties have been mutually beneficial to our two countries, phenomenally transforming Kenya's railway, road and port infrastructure, and deepening people to people exchanges.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 3, 2024
Through our bilateral cooperation… pic.twitter.com/j0qjlnUJpy
President Ruto arrived in China on Monday, September 2, 2024, accompanied by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
President Ruto in a statement shared upon his arrival in China stated that the forum presents an opportunity for Africa to renew and strengthen its partnership with China.
“Arrived in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit. The meeting presents an opportunity for Africa to renew and strengthen its partnership with China. Over the years, China has proven to be a true development partner, significantly revamping our infrastructure. We look forward to leveraging these ties to accelerate our transformation,” Ruto stated.
During his visit to Beijing, President Ruto will participate in several other high-profile meetings and events to further strengthen Kenya-China relations and explore new areas of collaboration.
