From Sh100m State car to modern State guest house: How Ruto was treated in China

The luxurious state car, the Hongqi Guoli/PCS

In a strong show of diplomatic respect, the Chinese government accorded President William Ruto an exceptional honour during his visit.

From his arrival Tuesday, he was given the usual red-carpet reception and grand ceremonial honours.

The visit, marked by high-level engagements, also saw the government extend full state protocols to him throughout his stay.

For his movement, a luxurious state car, the Hongqi Guoli, often referred to as China’s Rolls-Royce, was rolled out to him, possibly showcasing the importance Beijing places on its ties with Nairobi.

President William Ruto with his host Xi Jinping in China/PCS

The car shares its lineage with the Hongqi N701, famously used by President Xi Jinping.

During all his meetings around the city, Ruto was being chauffeured in this car, complete with outriders and maximum security.

Manufactured by Hongqi, a luxury division of the state-owned FAW Group, the Guoli is a neo-retro, full-size luxury sedan inspired by the iconic Hongqi CA770, which once served China’s top leaders.

First unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, it stands today as the most expensive Chinese-made car, retailing at CN¥5 million (US$800,000 or Sh104 million).

The Hongqi brand, meaning “Red Flag” in Chinese, was created in the 1950s to serve the transportation needs of senior Communist Party members.

The Guoli model stands out with its vintage-inspired design. It has round headlamps, a large rectangular chrome grille, a signature red stripe with the Hongqi badge on the hood, and distinctive brand labels on the fenders.

The rear of the car features the inscription “红旗” (Hongqi), said to replicate Mao Zedong’s handwriting.

Zedong, who died in 1976 at the age of 83, was the chairman of China's ruling party, the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In terms of size, the car is a behemoth, measuring 5,980 mm in length, 2,090 mm in width, and 1,710 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,730 mm.

Compared to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Z223, the Guoli is 411 mm longer, 19 mm narrower, and 20 mm taller, and it weighs a massive 3,150 kg.

For security and comfort, the vehicle is equipped with bulletproof wheels and glass, armor plating, and state-of-the-art technology, including a 6.0L aluminum engine, a 15.3-inch LCD panel, and an in-car TV system to guarantee both prestige and protection.

Apart from his ride, China also concludes Ruto's five-day state visit on Saturday.

For his stay and meetings, Ruto was housed at a modern state guest house complex located on the east side of Yuyuantan Park in Haidian District.

The complex was built by the government in 1958–1959 on the basis of the ancient Diaoyutai Scenic Spot as a place for visiting dignitaries to stay and for meetings and conferences.