Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan has hailed President William Ruto’s recent state visit to China as a significant milestone in the growing partnership between the two nations.
In a detailed press conference on Tuesday in Nairobi, Haiyan described the visit as having “achieved a complete success”.
This, while emphasising its strategic importance in advancing diplomatic and economic cooperation.
“This visit achieved a complete success which is of great significance for the future development of China-Kenya relations as well as cooperation of the two countries and even the Global South,” she stated.
Haiyan noted that the two sides reached a broad consensus on expanding collaboration across key sectors.
She highlighted the signing of agreements in infrastructure, trade, and technology as evidence of a shared commitment to strengthening ties under President Ruto’s leadership.
She pointed out that with the visit being Ruto’s third since assuming office and a first by an African head of state since the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, reflects the importance of “our bilateral relations” and the continued momentum of the Beijing summit.
In the health sector, for instance, she disclosed that China and Kenya will expand exchanges and cooperation, with Kenya looking to benefit from China's experience in building inclusive healthcare systems.
Recognising Kenya’s urgent need for medicines and vaccines, China, she said, will support its enterprises in partnering with local stakeholders to develop local healthcare industries.
Kenya will, in turn, facilitate market access for Chinese medicines to help improve the well-being of its population.
On infrastructure and industrial development, which were also central to the discussions, Haiyan said the two countries committed to accelerating projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi railway and to promoting the development of China-Africa industrial cooperation zones.
“Both sides agreed to institutionalise cooperation between their railway authorities, deepen collaboration in the transport sector, and explore the launch of direct flights between Nairobi and Beijing, guided by market principles,” she said.
Haiyan also emphasised China’s recognition of Kenya’s status as a financial hub in East Africa.
She said China would support Chinese financial institutions in establishing a presence in Kenya and explore new, diversified avenues of financial cooperation, including the issuance of panda bonds, in accordance with market rules and relevant regulations.
On global governance, the ambassador said both nations reiterated the need for urgent reforms at the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to address historical injustices against Africa.
During the talks with President Xi Jinping, Ruto welcomed China's proposals to prioritise Africa’s representation in the reform process.
This, as China applauded Kenya’s role in the African Union's Committee of Ten (C10) and pledged continued support for strengthening the UN Office in Nairobi into a global multilateral hub.
To foster deeper people-to-people ties, Ambassador Haiyan revealed plans to hold a China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season later this year, with a particular focus on youth exchanges and tourism.
Both countries will also support and actively participate in the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges in 2026, she stated.
In the area of security, the ambassador revealed that there were talks for increased collaboration in personnel training, defence industry cooperation, counterterrorism, and joint exercises.
The two nations, she said, are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on law enforcement cooperation to strengthen mechanisms for combating transnational crimes.
This includes joint efforts to tackle human trafficking, drug smuggling, telecom fraud, cybercrime, illicit arms trade, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, environmental crimes, and money laundering.
The cooperation will also aim at building capacity among law enforcement agencies to safeguard the safety and interests of both countries and their citizens.
