Minister Counsellor Zhang Zhizhong from the Chinese embassy in Nairobi made this call during a meeting with Kenya-China Alumni Association members on Friday.
He said at the celebrations to mark 40 years of Chinese government scholarships that the Asian economic giant believes the lot has a cardinal role in bolstering ties.
Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich and Kenya Shandong Chamber of Commerce Zhan Dong on Friday 15, 2024/LEAH MUKANGAIChina has tasked alumni of its various programmes in the age-old ties with Africa to champion the solidarity and cooperation between the two sides.
Minister Counsellor Zhang Zhizhong from the Chinese embassy in Nairobi made this call during a meeting with Kenya-China Alumni Association members on Friday.
He said at the celebrations to mark 40 years of Chinese government scholarships that the Asian economic giant believes the lot has a cardinal role in bolstering ties.
“I firmly believe that alumni could play a unique and important role in this process, carrying forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation,” he said.Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich, Embassy of China in Kenya deputy ambassador Zhang Zhizhong and other officials after the signing of the MoU/LEAH MUKANGAIZhang added that the alumni could also help “deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa, as well as enhance solidarity and coordination.”
“History is made by the people. The prosperity of China-Africa cooperation is created and promoted by the people,” he said.
The Chinese embassy’s Charge de Affaires added that people from China, Kenya and other African states are integral to the bilateral relations.
“Beyond the grand picture of the great times, it is actually the millions of individuals both in China and the continent of Africa that are creating substantial achievements of historical progress,” the Zhang stated.
For China, the relationship with Africa was “now at its best in history”.
“From a new type of partnership to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, the relationship has kept reaching new heights,” the envoy added.
Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich and Kenya-Chinese Women Association chairperson Bao Pign during the signing of the MoU on Friday 15, 2024/LEAH MUKANGAIKenya and China ties date back to more than 60 years – actually 61 this year, with uncountable gains in tow, at least according to the alumni association, citing education, infrastructure, and mutual cultural exchanges.
The minister counselor said the situation wouldn’t change any soon, citing the engagements between President William Ruto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for two consecutive years as some of the good signs.
He also cited the recent visit by Li Xi, a member of Chinese top decision making organ – the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, as evidence of their goodwill towards Kenya.Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich and Embassy of China in Kenya deputy ambassador Zhang Zhizhong during the celebration of 40 years of Chinese government scholarships“His visit also marked the highest delegation in the past six years visiting Kenya as well as the first visit of top-level leaders of China to African countries after the Focac Summit in Beijing in September,” he said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also visited China shortly after Xi replied to a letter by Kenyan students who appreciated China for the support they have received in learning modern railway technologies.
China has sponsored thousands of students to study there, a team that has returned to Kenya for posting in various government and private enterprises.
Alumni Association chair Henry Rotich also pointed out that the alumni remain a vital bridge between the two nations.
“We will continue to foster deeper ties and will perpetuate Chinese culture,” he said, underscoring the place of language as the key to opportunities in China.
“Our journey with the Chinese institutions and support from the embassy has opened pathways for benefits,” Rotich stated, calling on the lot to consider that they contribution would help built a future where Kenyans and Chinese can thrive.
Kenya-China Alumni Association chairperson Henry Rotich speaking during the celebration of 40 years of Chinese government scholarships on Friday 15, 2024/LEAH MUKANGAIRotich asked Kenyans to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Chinese’s humongous allocation towards realizing goals of the Forum on Africa and China Cooperation (Focac).
“Focac has provided resources (Sh6.4 trillion) to Africa. We want to consider how Focac will elevate Kenya-China cooperation,” Rotich said.
The team holds that the exchanges were the reasons for the success of Standard Gauge Railway, a key flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The meeting culminated into the alumni association entering into several memoranda of understanding with various Chinese companies and chambers of commerce.
Embassy of China in Kenya deputy ambassador Zhang Zhizhong speaking during the celebration of 40 years of Chinese government scholarships on Friday 15, 2024/Leah Mukangai
