Full text: Joint statement between China and Kenya on creating an inspiring example in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era

Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the

Republic of Kenya on Creating an Inspiring Examplein the

All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for theNew Era

At the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from April22ndto 26th, 2025.

During the visit, the two Presidents held talksin a cordial and friendly atmosphere,and had an in-depth exchange of views onChina-Kenya relations,China-Africa relations under the new circumstances,and international and regional issues of mutual interest. H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council,and H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with President William Ruto.

The two sides agreedthatChina and Kenya have enjoyed an ever stronger traditional friendship; that their cooperation over the past 62 years since the establishment of diplomatic relationshasinvigoratedthe spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation characterized bysincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness; and that their high-quality Belt and Road cooperationin the new erahasbeen a fineexample in promoting the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. China-Kenya cooperation has promoted modernization inboth countries and benefitedthe two peoples. Under the new circumstances, China-Kenya comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is facing majoropportunitiesfor development. The twosides will continue to firmly support each other in defending core interests, deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation across the board, and work together to build a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era.

The two sides agreedthatthe Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),over the past 25 years since its establishment,has been driving the great strides inChina-Africa relations,enhancingthe quality of China-Africa cooperation, and has become a bannerfor international cooperation with Africa. The 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit is a landmark event in the history of China-Africa relations. Ithas created a new blueprint for China-Africa unity and cooperation, openeda new chapter of Chinaand Africa jointlyadvancingmodernization,and injectednew impetus into world peace and development. China and Kenyaare committed to implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, promoting high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation, and buildingthe China-Kenya relationship into an inspiringexamplein developing theall-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for thenew era.

The two sides agreed that, in a world undergoing changes unseen in a century,importantvisions and proposals,including building a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), are gaining influence and appeal. Amid change and turbulence, it is importantto promoteextensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit in global governance, shape a fairer and more equitable international order, and resolutely reject the law of the jungle,hegemonism, power politics and all forms of unilateralism and protectionism. This is an important partof the Global South's endeavor to build strength through unity.Both sides are committed to bringing more stability to the world with the certainty inChina-Africa unity and cooperation. The two sides will be a steadfast forceforsafeguarding the common interests of developing countries and defending themultilateral system,advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly contribute to developinga community with a shared future for mankind.

I. Building aChina-Kenya Community with a Shared Future for the New Era

1. The two sides agreed to continue to follow the strategic guidance ofhead-of-state diplomacyand maintain close high-level exchanges. Theywill deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and across all fields, including between central and local governments, political parties and legislative bodies, and strengthen experience-sharing on governance and development.

2. The two sides firmly support each other's independent choice of development pathssuited to their ownnational conditions. They reaffirmed their solidmutual support on issues pertaining to each other's core interests and major concerns and resolutely oppose external oppression and interference. Kenya reaffirmed itscommitmentto the one-China principle and recognizes that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Kenya resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and supports all efforts bythe Chinese government to achieve national reunification. Issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang are China's internal affairs, as observed in international law and the non-interference principle.

3. The two sides are satisfied withthe fruitful results they have achieved in high-quality Belt and Roadcooperation. Inimplementingthe outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit andthe plan for China-Kenya cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the two sides will strengthen the synergy with Kenya's Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030, enhanceand upgrade practical cooperation,ensure the safety and security of personnel and institutions working onbilateral projects, and make theirhigh-quality Belt and Road cooperation high standard, people-centered and sustainable so that it delivers prosperity to both.

4. The two sides agreed to make full use of the mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Trade, Investment, Economic and Technical Cooperation and the China-Kenya Joint Working Group to better identify the needs for economic and trade cooperation. China encourages more leading Chinese enterprises to invest and set up businesses in Kenya to facilitateKenya's endeavortoexpand its competitive production capacity, upgradeindustrial chains and achieveindependent and sustainable development. China will import more fineKenyan productsand promote thebalancedand sustainable development of bilateral trade. The two sides will make active efforts towardsigning framework agreementon economic partnership for common developmentor free trade agreement to providelong-term, stable and predictable institutional support for trade and investment between the two countries.

5.The two sides will drive theintegrated development of infrastructure and industries through implementingmajor projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, promote the developmentof growth circles for China-Africa industrial cooperation and work togetherto build a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development. The two sides are ready to institutionalizecooperation between their railway authorities, deepen exchanges and cooperation in the railway sector and promote infrastructure connectivity. The two sides will actively consider launchingdirect flights between their capitals in line with market principles.

6. China values Kenya's role as a financial hub in East Africa and will supportChinesefinancial institutions in setting up branches in Kenya and explore new and diversified forms of financial cooperationwith Kenya. China is ready to explore cooperation with Kenya on panda bonds in compliance withmarketrules and relevant laws and regulations.

7. The two sides will enhance exchanges and cooperation in the field of healthcare. Kenya wishes to draw on the valuable experience of China on inclusive healthcare. China places great importance onKenya's urgent needs indealing with medicine and vaccine shortages under the current circumstances, and will support Chinese enterprises in collaborating with the Kenyan side to developlocal healthcare industries, thereby contributing to betterhealth and wellbeing of the Kenyan people. Kenya will provide necessary facilitation forChinese medicinesto access its market.

II. Creatingan InspiringExamplefor Implementingthe Global Development Initiative

8. Kenya highly appreciates and actively supports the GDI proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides believethat the GDI representsthe shared aspirationsof Global South countriesandprovides a strong driving force forinternational development cooperation and implementingthe U.N.2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China appreciates Kenya's participation in the Group of Friends of the GDI. The two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, green development, and the blue economy.

9. Kenya commends the InitiativeonSupportingAfrica'sIndustrialization, the Plan forChina SupportingAfrica'sAgricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperationon Talent Development set forth byPresident Xi Jinping. The two sides will further strengthen cooperation in such areas as industry, agriculture, higher education, vocational education and human resource training. Kenya will learn from China's invaluable experience in rural poverty alleviation and other sectors. The Chinese side supports investment in Kenya's sustainable and modern agriculture and agroprocessing.

10. China welcomes Kenyain joiningthe Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-building. The Kenyan side appreciates theGlobal AIGovernance Initiative and Global Initiativeon Data Security proposed by China. The two sides will cultivate new growth areas for cooperationfocusing on emergingindustries including digital economy, new energy,AI, mobile technologies, block chain, and developing smart cities, and promote cooperation on new quality productive forces.

11. China speakshighly ofKenya's successful hosting of the inauguralAfrica Climate Summit in September 2023, and commendsPresident Ruto's contribution to promoting African unity in addressing climate change. The two sidesreiterated the importance of the Nairobi Declaration and the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change, and will explore ways to deepen green cooperation and protect Planet Earth, the home of all humanity.

III. Creatingan InspiringExamplefor Implementing the Global Security Initiative

12. Kenya commends and actively supportsthe GSIproposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides agreedthat countries should stay committedto the visionof common,comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; to respectingthesovereignty and territorial integrityof all countries; to abiding bythe purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter; to taking thelegitimate security concerns of all nationsseriously; to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes between nations through dialogue and consultation;and to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.The two sides expressedthe willingness to actively implement the memorandum of understanding onbilateral cooperation under the GSI and engage in active cooperation under this framework to enhance security governance capabilities and make positive contributionsto promotingregional and global peace and stability.

13.The two sides call for the international community to support efforts by African countries and the African Union (AU) as well as other regional organizations in Africa to independently resolve African issues in the African way. China firmly supports the AU in promoting solidarity among African countries to actively address regional security challenges and mediate regional conflicts and disputes. The Chinese side speaks highlyof Kenya's efforts to maintain regional peace and stability. Kenya appreciates the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africaput forward by China, and is ready to continue workingwith China to bring this vision into reality, strengthen communication and coordination on African hotspot issues, and play a constructive role in maintainingpeace and securityin Africa.

14.The two sides agreed to further enhance exchanges at all levels in the field of peace and security, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as personnel training, defense industry and trade, counterterrorism, and joint exercises and training.

15.The two sides will actively negotiate andsign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their law enforcement agencies, establishcooperationmechanisms, andwork more closelyoncombating transnational crimes includinghuman trafficking, drug smuggling, telecoms fraud, cybercrime,illicit arms and wildlifetrade, illegal fishing, environmental crimeand money laundering,and on building law enforcement capacity, in a joint effort to safeguardthe security interests of the two countries and theirpeoples.

IV. Creating an Inspiring Example for Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative

16. Kenya commends and actively supports the GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides call for respect for the diversity of world civilizations, strengthening inter-civilizational and people-to-peopleexchanges, and upholding equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations to promote the progress of human civilizations. The two sides are ready to step up cooperation in the U.N. and other multilateral fora and jointly implement the U.N. General Assembly resolution that designates the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

17. The two sides willcarry forward theirtime-honored friendshipthrough exchanges and mutual learning. The two sides will hold a China-Kenya cultureand tourism season in 2025to further expand people-to-people exchanges and encourage more mutual visits, particularly among the young people. The two sides willactively support and participate in the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchangesin 2026.

18. The two sides will cement the foundation of China-Kenya friendship through people-to-people exchanges. While speakinghighly of their fruitful cooperation in such areas asscience and technology, culture, tourism, women, youth, sportsand media, the two sides agreed to further expand people-to-people exchangesbuilding on what have already been achieved, strengthen cooperation in radio, television, newspaper and online media, fully leverage the role of legislative and civil friendship groups and other organizations, and work toward setting up aChina Cultural Center in Kenyato deepen mutual understanding and tighten the bond between their peoples.

19. The two sides will build consensus on visions through experience-sharing. The two sides will strengthen education exchangesand cooperation, actively promote Chinese language education and support the development of language and vocational education platforms in Kenyaincluding the Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops, as well as exchanges and cooperation between think tanks and joint scientific and academic research between Chinese and Kenyanuniversities. China will continue to provide to the Kenyansidescholarships and training opportunities in China.

V. Promoting Unity and Cooperation Among the Global South

20. The two sides agreed to firmly safeguard the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. The two sides will strengthen coordination and cooperation within the U.N. and other multilateral frameworks to make global governance more just and equitable. The two sides welcome the adoption by the U.N. General Assembly of the U.N. Convention Against Cybercrimeand agreed to work together for the early entry into force of the Convention to strengthen international cooperation in combating cybercrime.

21. The two sides arecommittedto enhancingthe representation and voice of the Global South in the international system. The two sides will continue to stand by the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organization(WTO), support the WTO to makenecessary updateof itsrules through investment facilitation for development among other joint statement initiatives, firmly oppose new hegemonic tools such as unlawful unilateral sanctions, decoupling,tariff barriersand technology blockade,and call for reform of the international financial systemto make it more inclusive and equitable, improvement of the development financing for developingcountries, and promotion of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation with a view to realizing prosperity for all.

22.The two sides call for necessary reform and strengthening of the U.N. including the Security Council to redress the historical injustice done toAfrica, including increasing the representation of developing countries, African countriesin particular,in the U.N. and its Security Council. Kenya expressed appreciation for China's proposal to make special arrangements on the U.N. Security Council reform to meet Africa's aspiration as a priority. Chinaspeakspositively of Kenya's important role as a member of the AU's Committee of Ten (C10)Heads of State and Government. The two sides will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation on the Security Councilreform.China supports the strengthening of the United Nations Office at Nairobi into a hub of multilateralism in the global affairs.

23.The two sides agreed to continue to work with other African countries and the international community to make unremitting efforts for the settlement of global hotspot issues including those in Africa to promote world peace, stability and prosperity. The two sides believe that the two-State solution is the only way to resolve the question of Palestine and that Gaza is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory. Both sides firmlysupport the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people and opposethe forced transfer of people in Gaza.

24.The two sides believe that the development of human rights should be people-centered, and each country has the right to independently choose the path of human rights development that suits its own reality. The two sides believe that countries should conduct dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and stand againstpoliticizing, instrumentalizingand applying double standards to human rights issues.

The two sides agreed that PresidentWilliam Ruto's visit to China was a full success and held great significance for promoting the bilateral relations and for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. President William Ruto expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for the warm and generous hospitality accorded to him during his visit and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Kenya at his convenience.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.