Kenya’s President Ruto talks trade with China, says country is reshaping new world order

Kenya’s President William Ruto, currently on a state visit to China, has emphasized the need for a new world order that is fair, inclusive, and sustainable. Speaking at Peking University, President Ruto outlined Kenya and China’s role as co-architects of this transformative paradigm shift. The visit, the first African state visit to China this year, is seen as a significant step in building bridges between East and West amid deepening geopolitical tensions. President Ruto highlighted the importance of measuring success not just in GDP growth or trade volumes, but in the number of lives uplifted, futures secured, and dignity restored. The president drew parallels between his visit to China and his 2024 visit to the United States, underscoring Kenya’s potential as a mediator between various global powers. President Ruto called for greater trust, vision, and partnership between China and Africa to lay the groundwork for a 21st-century multilateralism that benefits all of humanity. He also pointed out the shifting landscape of technology and demographics, emphasizing that disruptive innovations can emerge from anywhere in the world and that economic development is intrinsically linked to the people who produce and consume. President Ruto raised concerns about the outdated structures of international organizations like the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions, calling for reforms to address current challenges such as liquidity, inadequate finance for development and climate action, the cost of capital, and recurring debt crises faced by developing nations.