21-gun salute: China's Xi Jinping officially welcomes Ruto
National
By
Esther Nyambura
| Apr 24, 2025
President William Ruto has been officially welcomed to China by his host, President Xi Jinping, with a 21-gun salute at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
President Ruto inspects the guard of honor after receiving a 21-gun salute at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. pic.twitter.com/lnZ3J5yxgt
- The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) April 24, 2025
Ruto, who is accompanied by First Lady Mama Rachel, is on a five-day State visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
During Thursday's bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several Kenya-China trade agreements, with China committing Sh107 billion to support various sectors in Kenya.
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President Ruto noted that the renewed partnership between the two countries will boost cooperation, address pressing challenges, upgrade infrastructure to improve connectivity, and boost trade both within Kenya and the wider region.
Among the agreements signed is a Sh51.9 billion investment deal with the Zonken Group. The Chinese firm is set to invest in large-scale aloe vera cultivation, processing, and export on 300 acres of land in Baringo County.
The State visit also provided a platform for Ruto to comment on the ongoing global trade tensions, mostly between the United States and China.
Ruto criticised the current global financial and security architecture, saying it has revealed its weaknesses in light of the trade wars.
He noted the need to shift the center of economic power and financial inclusion away from a few dominant regions, advocating for more inclusive global growth.
Ruto's visit is scheduled to conclude on April 26.
He is accompanied by several senior government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo.