In Voi, a town in southern Kenya, China Global Television Network (CGTN Swahili service) hosted a vibrant event to commemorate 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Participants joined locals in the town after a thrilling 300-kilometer trek via a picturesque route from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 mainly to invest in connectivity projects such as airports, roads, sea ports, and digital initiatives.
Themed “Belt and Road Friendship Tour” the colourful event that entailed music, dance, martial arts, and poetry highlighted projects executed through Chinese support in Africa in the past decade.
The chief guest, Taita Taveta County’s minister of Culture and Tourism Shadrack Mutungi hailed CGTN Swahili for creating a cultural bridge between Kenya and China through the event.
’As a town along the magnificent SGR, Voi town has grown very fast, thanks to the line. Our people have jobs, and new hotels have been set up. Money is flowing in the county coffers and we are glad.’’ said Mutungi.
The county government further proposed holding an annual cultural event that will help in exchanging cultures between Kenya and China.
As part of marking the Belt and Road Initiative, CGTN Swahili service showcased paintings done by local artists depicting projects such the the Nairobi expressway road, Tanzania’s Tanzanite bridge, and the railway line connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti.
On the 17th of this month, the Belt and Road conference will take place in Beijing, where international leaders will assemble to discuss the project’s success and launch initiatives to increase global connectivity.
