Peng Liyuan, spouse of Chinese President Xi Jinping, welcomed Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, for a tea ceremony in Beijing on Thursday, underscoring the deepening cultural and social ties between the two nations. The meeting, held amid President Ruto’s state visit, highlighted shared priorities in women’s empowerment, education, and sustainable development.
Peng praised Kenya’s collaboration with the Chinese mainland in sectors like agriculture, education, and sports, emphasizing the need for greater people-to-people exchanges. She also outlined China’s successes in targeted poverty alleviation, a program credited with lifting millions out of hardship, and lauded Rachel’s advocacy for women’s education and entrepreneurship in Kenya.
Rachel Ruto, who has championed grassroots initiatives for women’s economic independence, acknowledged Peng’s longstanding contributions to advancing children’s welfare and gender equality across Africa. She pledged to 'bridge cultures' and deepen Kenya’s friendship with China through grassroots collaborations.
The dialogue reflects China’s diplomatic focus on soft-power engagement, pairing economic growth with social development. Analysts suggest such exchanges reinforce cross-continental partnerships as Asian and African nations seek synergies in tackling inequality and boosting regional stability.
