摘要：The recent state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto to China, from April 22 to 26, marked a milestone in the enduring relation
By Xu Yawen
The recent state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto to China, from April 22 to 26, marked a milestone in the enduring relationship between China and Kenya. During the five-day visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ruto elevated bilateral ties to a new level –a "China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era."
In light of an increasingly turbulent global environment, both sides pledged to further deepen cooperation and position China-Kenya relations as a model for broader China-Africa engagement.
In their joint statement, the two leaders emphasized a shared commitment to enhancing global stability through China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. By safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, they aim to promote a multilateral system that fosters "inclusive economic globalization."
Kenya's strengthened partnership with China holds particular significance, especially as the country seeks to diversify its trade relationships amid a looming global recession and rising trade barriers –exacerbated by the United States'imposition of 10 percenttariffs on Kenyan exports.
The two nations also reiterated their vision of aligning China-proposedBelt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Kenya's Vision 2030 development agenda. This expanded partnership, especially through high-quality BRI cooperation, serves as a key driver of Kenya's infrastructure development and economic resilience. As President Ruto remarked during his visit to Peking University, "Our cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has delivered a flagship infrastructure project that is reshaping national connectivity and regional integration."
The impact of this partnership is already visible in Kenya's transformative infrastructure and economic landscape. Since joining the BRI in 2017, Kenya has undergone dramatic changes –most notably through the construction of the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a project that has become emblematic of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Stretching approximately 480 kilometers, the SGR was built using Chinese standards, technology and equipment. It has significantly reduced travel times for both passengers and cargo, boosted trade and alleviated road congestion. This flagship project plays a pivotal role in advancing Kenya's Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into a middle-income economy. Since its launch, the railway has transported more than 7 million passengersand carried over 20 million tons of cargo. Furthermore, it has generated more than 74,000 jobs and contributes over 2 percentof Kenya's GDP.
Children wait to board a train at the Nairobi Station of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Nairobi, Kenya, October 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Beyond transportation, the new Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT) in Mombasa exemplifies the BRI's transformative impact on Kenya's energy infrastructure and security.
Inaugurated in 2022 and constructed by China Communications Construction Company, the upgraded KOT is the largest facility of its kind in East Africa. The terminal's increased offloading capacity reduces vessel turnaround times, lowers fuel import costs, creates jobs and helps develop a skilled local workforce. This further cements Kenya's position as a regional logistics hub, driving industrial development and economic growth.
The China-Kenya partnership extends beyond physical infrastructure. Increasing emphasis is being placed on capacity building and knowledge transfer. Thousands of Kenyan students have benefited from Chinese government scholarships and technical training programs, gaining skills in engineering, information technologyand agriculture. Cultural exchanges and sister-city relationships are also flourishing, fostering deeper mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
Looking ahead, the prospects for China-Kenya cooperation are promising. The vision of a China-Kenya community with a shared future is not merely a political declaration but a practical roadmap. Through the BRI, China and Kenya are not only focused on infrastructure development but are also sharing experiences for growth and governance tailored to their national contexts.
As President Xi noted during the bilateral meeting, China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests; in exploring development paths suited to their respective national conditions; in deepening experience-sharing in state governance; and in being fellow passengers and good friends on the road to modernization.
By further deepening cooperation under the BRI, China and Kenya will not only achieve their respective development goals but also set a shining example for South-South cooperation. This partnership contributes to building a more just, equitable and prosperous world – laying the groundwork for shared growth in the years to come.
Xu Yawen is a current affairs commentator.
来源：中国网一点号