Xi expresses optimism for partnerships
Presidents of Kenya, Rwanda say they’ll work to expand good relations
President Xi Jinping met separately with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Tuesday evening after the conclusion of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Meeting with Kenyatta, Xi said China is willing to expand cooperation with Kenya in such areas as agriculture, infrastructure construction, healthcare and industrial capacity.
China will also boost cultural exchanges between local regions to help Kenya realize its Big Four development plan, he said.
Xi said the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Kenya has developed rapidly, and bilateral cooperation in various areas has been the spearhead of expanded China-Africa relations.
China is willing to enhance party-to-party exchanges with Kenya and share its experiences in governance, he said.
He welcomed Kenya’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and congratulated Kenya on joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He said China will support Kenya in building an economic belt and industrial parks along railways.
Kenyatta congratulated Xi on the success of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and expressed gratitude for his leadership.
The summit has laid out a future development path for FOCAC and will promote the prosperity of both Africa and China, he said.
He also said that his country stands ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership with China, and to actively participate in the BRI to facilitate interconnectivity.
Meeting with Rwandan President Kagame, Xi expressed appreciation and thanked him for his participation in the summit, both as president and rotating chairman of the African Union. Kagame made outstanding contributions to the success of the event, Xi said.
Xi said the attendance of many African leaders “impressed us with the African people’s profound friendship for China”.
The summit witnessed the growth of a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa, Xi said. He also called for China and Rwanda to strengthen strategic communication, enhance unity and cooperation, continue to support each other and jointly develop the Belt and Road and establish closer people-topeople exchanges.
Kagame thanked Xi for his significant role in guiding relations between Africa and China.
He said his country thanked China for its valuable long-term help and will dedicate itself to promoting bilateral ties, as well as broader Africa-China cooperation.