China's President Xi Jinping has thrown down the gauntlet in Africa, reigniting Beijing's charm offensive by calling for a more profound and strategic partnership with Kenya. This comes only months after U.S. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for President William Ruto, declaring Kenya a non-NATO ally, a move that signalled Washington's intensified interest in Kenya.
During a meeting with President Ruto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, President Xi pointed to the need for “sincere partners of mutual trust” as China repositions itself in Africa.
“The two sides should firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and independently exploring development paths suited to their national conditions,” President Xi stated, highlighting the first of three areas where he envisions strengthening ties between the two countries.
Why it matters: This renewed push by China aims to secure allies as it faces escalating tensions with the United States, particularly over Taiwan. Xi’s reference to "mutual trust" can be seen as a strategic move to rally Kenya’s support amid the growing geopolitical rivalry.
Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, has long been a flashpoint, with China claiming the island as its own and not ruling out military action to bring it under Beijing's control. By seeking Kenya's partnership, China appears to be shoring up support among its African allies as global tensions mount.
Dig deeper: According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi's second point emphasised cooperation in mutual benefit, proposing that the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative be closely aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030.
“We should build an East African connectivity hub and industrial belt, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, new energy, trade, poverty reduction, and agricultural development,” Xi elaborated.
President Ruto’s visit to China is seen as a crucial opportunity to thaw the five-year freeze on Chinese loans to Kenya. With Kenya's infrastructure ambitions, including the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba dual carriageway, hanging in the balance, Ruto’s negotiations in Beijing could redefine the financial and developmental trajectory of the nation.
Xi’s third and final point stressed the importance of Kenya and China as strategic partners in upholding global fairness and justice. “We should work together to safeguard the common interests of the Global South and promote regional peace and stability,” Xi urged.
This rhetoric resonates with China’s broader strategy to position itself as a champion of the Global South, contrasting with the Western influence that has seen the US roll a redcarpet for President Ruto in June in a bid to maintain cooperation with Kenya.
Kenya's view: President Ruto, in turn, secured China’s commitment to opening up its markets to Kenyan agricultural products, a significant win for the country’s farmers. This agreement is expected to bolster Kenya's agricultural exports and provide much-needed relief to the sector, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years.
Xi Jinping's remarks on the long-standing friendship between China and Kenya, developed through their struggles for national liberation and their journey towards national rejuvenation, point to the historical ties that Beijing seeks to leverage. The Belt and Road Initiative has been a cornerstone of this relationship, with flagship projects in Kenya contributing to the region’s economic and social development.
As the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) progresses, Kenya and China are expected to sign several bilateral cooperation agreements in areas including financing and infrastructure.
