China's increasing security collaboration with Africa welcomed

Kenya's President William Ruto has thanked China for its security support, notably through the work of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, together with China's direct financial commitments in support of peace initiatives. He was speaking on Monday when he hosted a delegation led by Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

While updating the CPC delegation on regional peace and security situation, particularly the dynamics with respect to the Somalia-Ethiopia contention, as well as the current status in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ruto asked China to sustain support for peace initiatives led by the African Union to restore stability in the region and prevent the emergence of vacuums that could fuel terrorism, piracy and conflict.

"The active cooperation between Africa and China to enhance security cooperation in military and non-military sectors is a significant boost to regional and global security efforts. We are confident that our joint technical teams will conclude the necessary agreements to strengthen our strategic partnership and safeguard shared regional and global interests," Ruto said, according to a statement released on Monday.

Ruto noted that the two countries shared aligned perspectives on several important global issues at a multilateral level including the need to reform the UN Security Council to reflect current global dynamics.

On his part, Li emphasized China's support for a people-centered approach to national development, including the provision of quality education and healthcare, job creation and environmental protection and preservation.

Li, whose delegation arrived in Kenya on Saturday for a three-day visit, also visited Kenya's ruling United Democratic Alliance party headquarters where they engaged in bilateral discussions with senior party officials and formalized key cooperation agreements.