Infrastructure, agriculture exports on Ruto’s agenda in China visit

President William Ruto will visit Beijing and meet with President Xi Jinping as reciprocal trade tariffs between America and Beijing deepen, and shockwaves in the aftermath of the tariffs rip through the global markets.

A statement by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed outlined the purpose of the State Visit, stating that President Ruto’s visit will build on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2017 through the Belt and Road Initiative to advance Kenya’s infrastructure connectivity.

While in Beijing, President Ruto will hold bilateral talks with President Xi, with the talks set to centre around economic transformation, sustainable development, and global cooperation, which will focus on the trade wars between China and America.

“As part of efforts to boost Kenya's agricultural exports, he will inaugurate the Kenya Tea Holding Centre in Fujian Province. Situated in one of China's key tea regions, the Centre will enhance the visibility and market access of Kenyan tea, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen Kenya's trade footprint in Asia,” said Mohamed.

During the State Visit, President Ruto will also deliver a keynote address at Peking University, with Africa’s immense potential as an investment destination hub set to make up his address.

The visit which comes amid global uncertainty and a rise in protectionism, will grant Presidents Ruto and Xi an opportunity to discuss rising trade, geo-political and insecurity tensions, including the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, where Kenya has made significant diplomatic and military investment to restore order and stability.