China and Kenya to deepen cooperation through BRI

China and Kenya agreed on Saturday to deepen their cooperation in areas such as railway, roads and aviation under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The agreement was made when Kenyan President William Ruto met with visiting senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Nairobi.

Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is currently on his way to attend the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, next week.

During the meeting, Ruto said it is the consensus among various sectors in Kenya to strengthen friendship and cooperation with China and he spoke highly of the respect that China has shown in China-Kenya exchanges.

Noting that the landmark Mombasa-Nairobi Railway project has brought dramatic changes to his country, Ruto expressed Kenya's commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

His country supports and will actively participate in the Global Development Initiative, he added.

Wang extended President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings to Ruto, saying that the China-Kenya friendship is based on a profound political foundation and enjoys solid public support.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 60 years ago, China and Kenya have treated each other as equals and supported each other, thus becoming reliable friends in politics and partners for win-win cooperation in economy, he said.

Wang called on the two sides to strengthen the two heads of state's strategic guidance over the relationship, enhance political mutual trust and carry out closer cooperation in all areas.

He expressed support for Kenya's efforts to safeguard sovereign independence and national dignity, to crack down on terrorism and to follow a development path that suits the African nation's own conditions.

China will help promote Kenya's economic and social development, and facilitate the process of African integration, Wang said.

Wang also expressed China's willingness to work with Kenya to practice true multilateralism, uphold the core role of the United Nations in global affairs and safeguard the common rights and interests of developing countries.

China will join hands with Kenya to implement the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa proposed by China and to maintain regional peace and development, Wang added.

Wang also met with Alfred Mutua, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Saturday.