Kenya Celebrates 6 Decades of Strong Ties with China

President William Ruto has praised the enduring friendship between Kenya and China as the two nations marked sixty years of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at an Investors’ Roundtable in Beijing, Ruto praised the robust ties that have facilitated cooperation across various sectors, ranging from social and political to cultural and economic endeavors.

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“Looking back on these activities and interactions during this period, we can all appreciate the significant progress and tremendous growth that has come about as a result of a truly transformational friendship between our nations and people,” President Ruto said.

Kenya’s renewed quest to strengthen its economic ties with China was the driving force behind President Ruto’s visit, as the government seeks to deepen trade relations with the Asian economic powerhouse.

China had scaled back new funding to Kenya after the completion of the second phase of the standard gauge railway (SGR) project.

However, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed that President Ruto’s visit aims to secure new funding to complete stalled road projects.

In his address, President Ruto acknowledged China’s remarkable economic growth and its vision to become a force for positive change globally.

“Our ambition to become a modern, competitive industrial economy has always been dynamically aligned with the momentum of a global giant whose economic rise has been unstoppable,” he remarked.

The President emphasized the multifaceted and intertwined nature of the cooperation between Kenya and China. He recognized both governments for their support in various forms, including development assistance in the form of grants, concessional loans, and other types of development cooperation.

“We are therefore celebrating six decades of a highly advantageous friendship and most beneficial collaboration with the people, organizations, firms, and government of China,” President Ruto added.

President Ruto also looked to the future, emphasizing a new era of development and meaningful partnerships for both countries.

“Kenya and China will continue to offer imaginative ways of strengthening friendship among the nations and peoples of the world, encouraging peace through dialogue, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a multilateral political and economic governance framework that is inclusive, fair, and leaves no country or peoples behind,” he said.

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The visit to China by President Ruto underscores the significance of the longstanding partnership between Kenya and China.

As both nations mark six decades of diplomatic relations, the world watches with anticipation to see how this robust friendship will continue to benefit the people of Kenya and China and foster global cooperation.