The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, hosted a reception in Nairobi on Sunday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The event, held at the Chinese Embassy, was attended by Kenyan government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, along with leaders from different sectors and heads of various missions in the country. Chinese overseas community members in Kenya also participated in the celebrations.
Ambassador Zhou took the opportunity to reflect on China’s journey since 1949, which has transformed the country into an economic superpower, characterised by rapid economic growth and social stability under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
“In a short span of several decades, China has transformed from a poor and backward country into a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It has become the world’s second-largest economy, biggest trading and manufacturing nation in goods and strongest growth engine in terms of EVs, wind and solar power,” he said in his remarks
The ambassador emphasised that since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has prioritised improving the well-being of its citizens while pursuing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, noting the country’s efforts to transition from poverty to prosperity.
“We have, once and for all, resolved the problem of absolute poverty in China, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and built the largest education, social security, and healthcare systems in the world, ensuring that the gains of modernization benefit all our people fairly,” he said
He mentioned that China has now embarked on a path of modernization aimed at providing stability and certainty in an increasingly uncertain world, while also fostering valuable cooperation opportunities for all nations.
Zhou reiterated China’s commitment to peaceful development, focusing on friendly cooperation with all countries based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence, and working towards a community with a shared future for mankind.
“Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries is an important cornerstone of China’s foreign policy,” he said
According to the ambassador, the outcomes of the recently concluded FOCAC Summit in Beijing will benefit all African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China.
He underscored that these outcomes hold significant implications for guiding the development of China-Africa relations and advancing modernization initiatives for both parties.
Zhou expressed China’s strong appreciation for its existing ties with Kenya, assuring a commitment to strengthening cooperation between Beijing and Nairobi for mutual benefit.
Reflecting on the FOCAC Summit, Ambassador Zhou stated that China is prepared to collaborate with Kenya to implement the summit’s outcomes, while making significant contributions to the establishment of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
“China and Kenya share a profound tradition of friendship. Our fruitful and wide-ranging practical cooperation stands out in China-Africa cooperation. Following the guidance of the important common understandings between President Xi Jingping and President William Ruto, China is committed to working with Kenya to deepen the China-Kenya comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership by pursuing the goal of becoming “three types of partners”,” he said
The ambassador emphasised that China and Kenya should be sincere partners, firmly supporting one another in safeguarding national sovereignty and independently exploring development paths suited to their respective national conditions.
“We should be cooperative partners of mutual benefit and win-win results, closely synergize the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Kenya Vision 2030, build an East African connectivity hub and industrial belt, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as digital economy, new energy, economy and trade, poverty reduction and agriculture development,” he remarked
