Kenya will co-chair the the Road and Belt Initiative session at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will kick off on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Beijing, China.
President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, expressed his gratitude for getting the opportunity to co-chair the session.
He noted that the FOCAC summit strengthens the Kenya-China strategic partnership, which he says will provide a platform to explore opportunities for a people-centred mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.
“The Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) underpins Kenya-China strategic partnership that provides a platform to explore opportunities for a people-centred mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries,” Ruto stated.
Ruto revealed Kenya’s chance to co-chair the Road and Belt Initiative session moments after meeting Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing.
The Head of State went ahead to list the Standard Gauge Railway, Kipevu Terminal in Mombasa and Nairobi Expressway, as some of the demonstrable infrastructure projects that mark the Kenya-China partnership.
“This partnership is marked by practical and demonstrable infrastructure projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway, Kipevu Terminal in Mombasa and Nairobi Expressway, among others. Met Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, ahead of the FOCAC meeting. Kenya has been honoured to co-chair the Road and Belt Initiative session,” Ruto said in a statement shared via his official X account.
The Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) underpins Kenya-China strategic partnership that provides a platform to explore opportunities for a people-centred mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 3, 2024
This partnership is marked by practical and demonstrable… pic.twitter.com/sbaa8IIGBY
This year’s FOCAC theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”.
The discussions are expected to focus on policies and programs that will contribute to a prosperous future for both regions.
President Ruto has been accorded the honour of co-chairing a critical session on “Pursuing High-Quality Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation: A Platform for Modernisation Featuring Planning, Building, and Benefiting Together.”
This session will be part of the High-Level Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) event, where Kenya’s significant role in the initiative will be highlighted.
Kenya has been a crucial partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has led to transformative infrastructure projects in the country.
Earlier on, President Ruto held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
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.
