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Ruto showers China with praises to mark 6 decades of bilateral friendship

"We appreciate the tremendous growth as a result of a truly transformational friendship."

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News17 October 2023 - 07:59
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In Summary


  • • President Ruto said Kenya was looking ahead towards a new era for both countries.
  • •The President's visit to china comes on the back of a renewed quest by the government to deepen trade relations with the Far East economic powerhouse.
President William Ruto and Rotating Chairman of Sany Group Xiang Wenbo during an Investors' Roundtable in Beijing, China on October 17, 2023

President William Ruto poured out praises to China as the two states continued to expand their bilateral ties.

2023 marks six decades of diplomatic relations between the two states.

President Ruto on Tuesday said the good ties have provided a robust and enduring foundation for successful engagements across a broad spectrum of social, political, cultural and economic spheres of bilateral endeavour.

"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," Ruto said.

He was speaking during an Investors' Roundtable in Beijing.

The President's visit to china comes on the back of a renewed quest by the government to deepen trade and economic relations with the Far East economic powerhouse.

China has largely paused new funding to Kenya in past years following the completion of the second phase of the multi-billion shilling standard gauge railway (SGR) project.

However,  Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua last week revealed that the President would seek new funding to complete stalled road projects.

It is not clear whether Ruto's visit to China will seal a new deal to complete the stalled project.

Going further, Ruto revealed that China has achieved impressive growth over the course of the friendship, because of its vision of becoming a force of positive change in the world.

"This is because 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," Ruto said.

The President added that the strong ties of cooperation between Kenya and China entail multifaceted and intertwined relationships.

He credited both governments for supporting agendas that have brought China and Kenya closer such as development assistance in the form of grants, concessional loans and various forms of development cooperation.

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

In addition, President Ruto said Kenya was looking ahead towards a new era of development and meaniful 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 andleaves no country or peoples behind," Ruto said.

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