Xi Jinping talks with Kenyan President Ruto

Source: Xinhua News Agency

BEIJING, April 24 (Reporters Dong Xue, Shao Yibo) On the morning of April 24, President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state unanimously agreed to upgrade the positioning of bilateral relations to a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 62 years ago, China and Kenya have always respected and supported each other, carried forward the spirit of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and the spirit of the Silk Road, and continuously elevated the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to new heights. Upgrading China-Kenya relations to a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era is a strategic choice of both sides. China is willing to work with Kenya to follow the historical trend and the general trend of the times, create a model of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the unity and cooperation of the Global South.

Xi Jinping emphasized that building a community with a shared future is the right path of mutual respect, treating each other as equals, mutual benefit and win-win results, and "working together for the common good of the world." China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, firmly support each other in exploring development paths that suit their national conditions, deepen exchanges of experience in national governance, and be partners and true friends on the path to modernization. The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative is a shining business card for the cooperation between the two countries. We should strengthen regular policy communication, promote high-level connectivity, facilitate sustainable trade, explore diversified financial integration, continue the bond of people-to-people and heart-to-heart communication for generations, and be leaders in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. China's super-large market will always remain open to high-quality Kenyan products. China encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Kenya. As important members of the Global South, China and Kenya should take practical actions to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, promote global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a more just and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and steer the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the international situation may change, China's principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith in its relations with Africa will not change, the original aspiration of China and Africa to stand together through thick and thin and support each other will not change, and the fundamental purpose of win-win cooperation and common development between China and Africa will not change. China honors its words and delivers on its promises. China is willing to work with African countries, including Kenya, to ensure more early harvests of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, bring more benefits to the African people, continue to send a strong message of China-Africa's pursuit of strength through unity and cooperation in the new era, and lead the cooperation of the Global South with high-quality China-Africa cooperation.

Xi Jinping stressed that there are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. China does not seek trouble, but it is also not afraid of trouble. China is willing to work with countries around the world to jointly respond to various challenges through unity and cooperation, safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, uphold international trade rules, and maintain international fairness and justice.

Ruto said that Kenya and China have always adhered to sincerity, mutual benefit and win-win results. The cooperation between the two countries is guided by a common vision, puts people at the center, and the two countries are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Kenya firmly pursues the one-China policy and firmly believes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Kenya thanks the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance in improving Kenya's infrastructure and responding to natural disasters. Belt and Road Initiative projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway have strongly promoted Kenya's national development. Kenya is willing to work hand in hand with China to build a community with a shared future, fully align economic and social development strategies, strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, science and technology and other fields, enhance exchanges in education, culture and tourism, advance the modernization process of both countries, and bring the futures of the two countries even closer. China-Africa cooperation is conducive to Africa's peace and development. Kenya is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Trade wars undermine the existing international rules and order. Kenya appreciates China's role as a stabilizer in the current turbulent situation and China's efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of countries in the Global South. Kenya is willing to work with China to uphold and practice multilateralism.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in such fields as the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, high and new technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and news media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya on Creating a Model of an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for William Ruto and his wife Rachel at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

When Ruto arrived, the honor guards lined up in salute. Xi Jinping and Ruto mounted the reviewing stand. The military band played the national anthems of China and Kenya, and 21 gun salutes were fired in Tiananmen Square. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Ruto reviewed the Honor Guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past.

At noon on the same day, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcome banquet for William Ruto and his wife in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.

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