Kenya and China join hands and achieve mutual success "(high-end interview) - Interview with Kenyan President Ruto

  In an interview with our reporter before his visit to China, President Ruto said that Kenya China friendship has a long history, close exchanges at all levels, fruitful achievements in jointly building the "the Belt and Road", and broad prospects for cooperation between the two countries. Looking forward to further deepening bilateral relations and carrying out more mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation through this visit.

"Kenya China exchanges can be traced back to more than 600 years ago." Ruto told reporters that the first batch of Chinese people had arrived in Lamu, Kenya. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kenya and China more than 60 years ago, the two countries have had close exchanges at various levels, including government, parliament, political parties, and civil society. In 2017, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership.  

"Kenya has actively participated in the joint construction of the 'the Belt and Road'. We have cooperated in the construction of a standard gauge railway with a total length of about 600 kilometers from Mombasa to Nairobi and extended to Naivasha, as well as Lamu Port, Mombasa Oil Terminal, Nairobi Expressway, etc., which demonstrates the strong relationship between Kenya and China." Ruto said that the joint construction of the 'the Belt and Road' has helped Kenya improve its port, railway, road and other infrastructure, and promoted Kenya's connectivity with Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African landlocked countries.

Ruto looks forward to Kenya continuing to cooperate with China to extend the standard gauge railway and promote trade between Kenya and other African countries, as well as more countries and regions around the world. He expressed the hope that more Chinese enterprises would invest in Kenya, explore the possibility of expanding infrastructure cooperation, and further tap the cooperation potential of jointly building the "the Belt and Road".

Ruto stated that Kenya can leverage China's technological and financial support to vigorously develop its manufacturing industry. China has performed outstandingly in the fields of solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, and other related technologies. He said that Kenya is rich in renewable energy and strives to achieve 100% clean energy generation by 2030. China's green energy technology is advanced, and there is great potential for green cooperation between the two sides. He looks forward to establishing cooperation between Kenya and Chinese electric vehicle companies and other new energy enterprises, improving Kenya's local manufacturing capabilities, and achieving more green cooperation results.

Ruto spoke highly of the achievements of Chinese path to modernization. He believes that China has won the battle against poverty. For the African continent, which is still facing serious poverty challenges, the experience of Chinese path to modernization is worth studying. He particularly emphasized that Kenya has formed its own development path and model in the modernization of agriculture and the construction of economic zones, which is formed through understanding and learning from different experiences, including China's development path.

Ruto's visit to China is the first state visit to China by African leaders since the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2024. Ruto said that the Forum on China Africa Cooperation is an important platform for Africa and China to coordinate their positions and actions. Both sides should strengthen close cooperation on regional and international issues, promote global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction, and enable the United Nations, its agencies, and the international financial system to fully reflect the demands of countries in the global South.

Cooperation between Kenya and China, as well as between Africa and China, is an important component of South South cooperation. The potential and momentum of South South cooperation continue to grow, "said Ruto. Kenya is currently evaluating joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism. In a multipolar world, Kenya is committed to seeking as many partners as possible, exploring the possibility of multilateral cooperation, creating opportunities for Kenyan product exports, and promoting technological cooperation to achieve win-win outcomes.

(Nairobi, April 21st)