NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 15 – The 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya was celebrated at the Global Trading Center (GTC) on Thursday by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, marking a historic milestone in trade, people-to-people relations, and diplomacy.
The event featured Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi as the Chief Guest, who characterized the celebrations as the result of many years of steady, dependable, cooperative, and win-win cooperation between China and Kenya.
Mudavadi acknowledged the significant growth in the relationship between the two nations and expressed optimism that it would continue to progress, driven by shared prosperity and understanding.
“Kenya applauds China for its transformative initiatives in Kenya and Africa whose socio-economic impacts have been far-reaching. As one of the few countries with a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, the highest form of Bilateral Relations, Kenya’s developmental landscape has benefited the most from China’s investment,” Mudavadi said.
He noted that around 50,000 Kenyans are employed by the 400 Chinese businesses operating in the country across various sectors, making China Kenya’s largest trading partner and the largest source of contracted companies.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian highlighted the advancements achieved during the 60 years of diplomatic ties, emphasizing the strengthening of their relationship.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our two peoples have forged fraternity, our bilateral relations have yielded fruits, and our two countries have become good friends and good partners that trust each other, setting an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation,” Pingjian said.
Pingjian emphasized the presence of mutual respect, equality, and goodwill between the two sides and their willingness to support each other on matters involving core interests and major concerns.
“The government and people of Kenya have given China great support and selfless help over the years,” he added.
The diplomatic relationship between China and Kenya began on December 14, 1963, just two days after Kenya’s historic attainment of independence from British colonial rule. Over the past 60 years, their friendship has grown based on mutual understanding, respect, and win-win cooperation.
Successive governments from both sides have nurtured warm relations through win-win cooperation, resulting in accelerated development in Kenya, the East African powerhouse. Kenya’s rapid development has been greatly supported by China through financing for major infrastructure projects.
Projects like the Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway, the Thika Superhighway, and the new Expressway connecting the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Westlands have transformed Kenya into a modern nation.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), initiated in 2013, has expedited these infrastructure and trade projects, creating job opportunities and facilitating knowledge transfer, ultimately empowering Kenya’s workforce and enhancing its global competitiveness.
With these remarkable achievements in socio-economic development, Kenya is poised for sustained economic growth and development, setting itself apart in the region, thanks to China’s support.
