Kenyan President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, has emphasized the long-standing friendship, frequent exchanges, and practical cooperation between the two countries, expressing hope that his visit would inject new momentum into bilateral ties.
Ruto arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a five-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Before his visit, the president shared his vision for the trip in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Ruto highlighted the many tangible outcomes of cooperation between the two countries, and said he hoped his visit could elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights.
"I am looking forward to building on what already exists, to build greater understanding between our two peoples, and ensuring that we take this into the future. Along that journey, we have achieved many things together. Kenya is a member of the Belt and Road Initiative and as a result we have the 600-kilometer railway from Mombasa through Nairobi to Naivasha. We have the Lamu port that has been built in partnership with Kenya and China. And of course we have the Mombasa oil terminal that has also been built by the partnership between our two countries, alongside many other projects. The Nairobi Expressway and many road projects that have been undertaken in Kenya signify the robust relationship between our two countries," he said.
The president also said that both Kenya and the wider East Africa region have greatly benefited from the practical cooperation between China and Kenya.
"The projects I have listed, from the expressway, to the railway developed, to Lamu port, to the oil terminal in Mombasa, are not just improving connectivity within Kenya but is also improving regional connectivity. So these are very important projects," Ruto said.
Ruto said that his visit underscores the strong friendship between China and Kenya, as well as the bond between the two peoples.
"It is an honor for me and for the people of Kenya for us to undertake this visit to Beijing. It speaks to the friendship between our two countries," said the president.
Kenyan president praises strong Kenya-China ties, expects further development
Kenyan president praises strong Kenya-China ties, expects further development
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
