ANKARA

China and Kenya agreed to elevate their relationship to what they called a “China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era” in a joint statement released by China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

The announcement followed a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing.

Both sides committed to continuing strategic guidance through head-of-state diplomacy and maintaining close high-level exchanges.

"They will deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and across all fields, including between central and local governments, political parties and legislative bodies, and strengthen experience-sharing on governance and development," the statement said.

Ruto also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing that “there is but one China in the world.”

The Kenyan leader arrived in China on Tuesday for a four-day state visit.

During his stay in Beijing, he also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.