By Ebi Kesiena
In a bid to further deepen the friendship between China and African nations, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi’s is meeting with top officials in several countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Turkey.
Wang, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, will attend the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg from July 24 to 25.
On Saturday, Wang met Kenyan President William Ruto and Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya during his visit to Kenya.
According to President Ruto, strengthening friendly cooperation with China has become a consensus shared by all sectors in the country.
As Ruto highly praised China’s efforts in growing relations with Kenya, adding that it is based on the principle of mutual respect.
On Friday, Wang paid a visit to Ethiopia en route to the BRICS meeting which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen.
South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS, a grouping of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China to challenge the dominant US and European-led global governance structures.
BRICS aims to challenge the dominant US and European-led global governance structures.
A summit of the bloc’s leaders will take place next month.
Wang’s visit to Africa comes as Beijing seeks to increase its presence in Africa.
