Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, met Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, on October 16. The First Lady of Kenya accompanied her husband to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF 2023), which opened in Beijing on October 18. Huang accompanied Kenya's First Lady as she visited the China Women's University (CWU).

Huang outlined the concept raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and a series of proposals including the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Huang introduced comprehensively the historic progress China has reached in the development of women, children and families under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. She also briefed ACWF's major work and reviewed the history of China-Kenya relations and women's exchanges. Huang expressed her sincere wish for the ACWF to deepen communications and cooperation with women's organizations from African countries, including Kenya, and from other countries, as well to build and share a better world for women and for all.

In particular, Huang highlighted the Spring Bud Project, which recently received the 2023 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Prize for Girls' and Women's Education. Huang explained that Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi and a UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, highly values the project and for years has been a Special Envoy for the Spring Bud Project to Promote Girls' Education in China. Huang noted Peng had attended and addressed the award ceremony (held in Beijing on September 28), and Peng's attendance had motivated the Spring Bud Project to boost its innovative development.

Mrs Ruto spoke highly about China's achievements in advancing women's development. She expressed her willingness to learn from China's good practices, deepen practical cooperation in women's affairs, and make contributions to strengthen the bilateral friendship, enhance women's development and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Huang accompanied Mrs Ruto as she visited CWU's history hall and women's library. They attended a calligraphy class, during which they wrote a banner with Chinese and international students, witnessing the deep friendship between China and Kenya.

Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, attended the meeting and visit.

(Source: Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation)