The African country is a key partner in this regard with flagship projects, including the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, the Lamu port, and the Mombasa oil terminal.

These initiatives seek to boost national connectivity and regional integration in East Africa.

Ruto previously announced a goal of achieving 100 percent clean electricity generation by 2030 by harnessing the country’s abundant geothermal and solar resources.

The nation seeks to consolidate itself as a regional manufacturing hub through infrastructure developed under the BRI, he told Xinhua in an interview.

Ruto will be in China until April 26 and expects to hold talks with host leader Xi Jinping, top legislator Zhao Leji, and Premier Li Qiang.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian noted that this is the first state visit to China of an African country’s leader since the FOCAC Summit in Beijing last year.

jrr/iff/oda/idm