In messages to Ruto and Bolsonaro, president calls for further boosting fruitful cooperation
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, presides over a BRICS parliamentary forum and gives an address, via video link, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept 6. (ZHANG LING / XINHUA)
President Xi Jinping sent congratulatory messages on Sept 7 to Kenyan President-elect William Ruto and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, saying he looks forward to strengthening China’s relations further with their countries.
Congratulating Ruto on his victory in the Kenyan presidential election, Xi said that China and Kenya enjoy a time-honored friendship, and that their cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results in recent years.
Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kenya relations, Xi said that he is willing to work with Ruto to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kenya to benefit the two nations and their peoples.
Ruto, 55, who has been serving as Kenya’s deputy president, was declared the winner of the presidential election by the head of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Aug 15.
In a televised address to the nation on Sept 5 in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Ruto pledged to transform the economy, ensure growth is shared evenly, and unite the country.
Xi, meanwhile, also sent a congratulatory message to Brazil’s Bolsonaro on the 200th anniversary of the South American nation’s independence from Portugal.
Xi said in the message that Brazil, as the biggest developing country in the Western Hemisphere, is committed to an independent, self-reliant and peaceful development path, and plays an important role in regional and international affairs.
He recalled his attendance at the 14th BRICS Summit together with President Bolsonaro in June via video link, saying that they worked together to advance BRICS cooperation for fruitful achievements and make contributions to world peace and development.
BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents the world’s emerging markets and major developing countries.
Xi said that, in recent years, China-Brazil relations have maintained steady development with fruitful pragmatic cooperation thanks to the joint efforts of the two countries.
Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties, Xi said that he is willing to work with Bolsonaro to further move forward the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership to deliver benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
On Sept 7, 1822, the then-prince of Portugal, Pedro de Braganca, declared Brazil to be an independent nation. Brazil is holding a range of activities to mark the 200th anniversary of its independence.
Meanwhile, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the nation’s top legislature, urged legislative bodies of the BRICS nations on Sept 6 to play an active role in consolidating unity and deepening cooperation among the bloc members.
Li made the remarks in Beijing via video link while presiding over a BRICS parliamentary forum attended by senior lawmakers of other BRICS countries.
Noting that friendly exchanges between the legislative bodies have provided legal guarantees and policy support to BRICS cooperation, Li said that China’s NPC is ready to enhance cooperation with the legislative bodies of BRICS countries to promote partnership and contribute to the recovery and sustainable development of the world economy.
He called on the legislative bodies of the BRICS member nations to uphold fairness and justice to maintain peace and security, and to support and participate in the China-proposed Global Security Initiative.
Li also urged all sides to continue enhancing coordination to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The five countries’ legislative bodies should strengthen policy communication and coordination and jointly safeguard the United Nations Charter and the authority of international law, he added.
