On April 17, in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, Kenyan President Ruto was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Dong Jianghui

Nairobi, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Deepening Kenyan-China Cooperation and Building the Road to Modernization -- Interview with Kenyan President Ruto

Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Jiatong

"Kenya and China established diplomatic relations in the 60s of the 20th century, but people-to-people exchanges date back 600 years." In a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, Kenyan President Ruto said that this profound historical relationship has laid a solid foundation for the development of relations between the two countries. Kenya is willing to further deepen cooperation with China to accelerate the modernization process in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, transportation and energy.

Ruto is looking forward to his visit to China. He said: "It is an honor for me and the Kenyan people to pay a state visit to China, which is a manifestation of the friendship between our two countries. In 2017, Kenya-China relations were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, which is built on the solid foundation of long-standing exchanges between the two peoples, as well as on the bilateral relationship between the two governments that has lasted for many years. ”

Ruto pointed out that in recent years, Kenya and China have made remarkable achievements in cooperation in many fields. Kenya is an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, and major infrastructure cooperation projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, Lamu Port and Mombasa Oil Terminal have not only improved Kenya's domestic connectivity, but also promoted regional integration and economic development in East Africa.

On April 17, in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, Kenyan President Ruto was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu

Kenya is rich in renewable resources such as geothermal and solar energy, and has great potential for green energy development. Ruto said that Kenya plans to achieve 100% clean energy power generation by 2030, and China has advanced technology in the field of new energy, so the two sides can complement each other's advantages and jointly promote the development of renewable energy cooperation.

Ruto said that Kenya will make full use of its strategic geographical location on the east coast of Africa, deepen Kenya-China cooperation, and build Kenya into a manufacturing hub in East Africa with the help of infrastructure built under the Belt and Road Initiative. "We will focus on Chinese private sector investment in Kenya, especially in regional connectivity projects, which will be one of the key topics of my visit."

Ruto believes that China's experience in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty is of great significance to Africa, which still faces severe challenges of poverty, and hopes to use China's experience to promote the modernization and industrialization of Kenya's agriculture.

Ruto spoke highly of the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in promoting China-Africa cooperation. He said that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) brings together willing parties to focus on issues of vital importance to Africa and China.

Ruto said that the potential and impetus for South-South cooperation in the Global South is growing. Kenya looks forward to win-win cooperation with countries with good trade partnerships to promote global trade and multilateralism.

Editor: Cai Ronghan