Peng calls for bolstering Sino-Kenyan relations, people-to-people exchanges

Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, and Rachel Ruto, the wife of visiting Kenyan President William Ruto, chat over tea in Beijing on Thursday. (FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY)

Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, chatted over tea with Rachel Ruto, the wife of visiting Kenyan President William Ruto, in Beijing on Thursday morning, calling for China and Kenya to enhance people-to-people friendship.

The two countries have enjoyed a longtime friendship and cooperated well in education, sports and agriculture, Peng said, adding that she looks forward to strengthened exchanges between the two sides.

Peng introduced to Ruto the achievements that China has made in its targeted poverty alleviation, and commended Ruto's commitment to public welfare and focus on women's education and empowerment.

Peng said she hopes both sides will share experiences with each other and work together to promote the development of poverty alleviation and the cause of women and children in the two countries.

Ruto shared her work over the years to support women's empowerment and female entrepreneurship, and spoke highly of Peng's long-term contribution to the cause of women and children in Kenya and other African countries.

She said that she will continue to work for closer bilateral people-to-people exchanges and deeper bilateral friendship.

Peng, a UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, has been a strong advocate for the rights and welfare of women and children in Africa.

Addressing a meeting on women's education on the sidelines of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September last year, Peng called for China and Africa to work together to improve equity, inclusiveness and the quality of girls' and women's education around the world.

In 2023, Peng, together with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, initiated a healthcare campaign for orphans in Africa.