In a landmark diplomatic move, President William Ruto concluded a successful four-day state visit to China, culminating in the signing of 20 wide-ranging agreements and a bold declaration to establish a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era.
Hosted by President Xi Jinping from April 22 to 25, the visit marked President Ruto’s first official state visit to China and positioned him as the first African leader welcomed after the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“This visit is a new chapter in our friendship,” declared President Xi Jinping. “China remains committed to sincere and result-oriented cooperation with Africa. Kenya is a key partner in that vision.”
The two presidents engaged in deep conversations covering trade, infrastructure, technology, education, tourism and geopolitical cooperation, reaffirming their nations’ commitment to unity, prosperity and mutual respect.
DEALS THAT DELIVER
From digital innovation to avocado exports, the visit delivered tangible results. Among the key outcomes:
- A Cooperation Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative to align Kenya’s Vision 2030 with China’s development blueprint.
2. China pledged to import more Kenyan products like avocados and anchovies, with new agreements signed on sanitary standards for Kenyan aquatic exports.
3. Financial institutions from China are set to establish branches in Nairobi, while discussions on issuing panda bonds are underway.
4. Agreements on digital economy, artificial intelligence and blockchain development signal Kenya’s entry into the tech frontier.
President Ruto also secured investment pledges in the energy and industrial sectors and toured CATL, the global leader in lithium battery innovation, in Ningde.
“We are not just building roads and railways,” said Ruto at a Beijing investor roundtable. “We are building futures—powered by clean energy, digital innovation and youth-driven entrepreneurship.”
BEYOND INFRASTRUCTURE: CULTURE, EDUCATION AND PEACE
The visit extended far beyond economics. The two nations committed to deepening people-to-people exchanges. A China-Kenya culture and tourism season will be launched in 2025, and China pledged continued support for Confucius Institutes, scholarships and joint university research initiatives in Kenya.
The countries also signed a memorandum on the Global Security Initiative, vowing cooperation on peacekeeping and conflict resolution in Africa. Both nations strongly opposed unilateral sanctions and affirmed support for a reformed, inclusive global financial system.
“Kenya and China are more than partners—we are global allies,” said Ruto during a speech at Peking University. “Together, we champion the Global South, amplify our voices and refuse to be sidelined in global decision-making.”
A MODEL FOR THE GLOBAL SOUTH
At the heart of the visit was a shared ambition: to set an example for cooperation among developing nations. Both leaders emphasized the importance of multilateralism, reforming global governance and strengthening the voice of the Global South.
“This partnership is not just bilateral—it’s symbolic,” noted a Chinese diplomat. “It shows what cooperation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit can achieve.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As President Ruto wrapped up his visit with stops in Fujian Province and meetings with senior Chinese officials, Kenyan and Chinese flags flew side-by-side in Beijing, a visual reminder of the growing bond.
The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, reflecting on the visit, called it “a milestone moment” and vowed to maintain momentum: “We are just beginning to write this new chapter.”
With this visit, Kenya and China didn’t just strengthen ties—they redrew the map of modern diplomacy, setting a precedent for how nations of the Global South can chart their own path to shared prosperity.
