Forum organized to explore new areas of China-Kenya collaboration

Published: November 16,2024

The Kenya-China Alumni Association on Friday convened a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to review milestones achieved under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The conference brought together diplomats, business executives, scholars, and students for discussions on the socioeconomic benefits that FOCAC and BRI have unleashed in Kenya. Henry Rotich, the chairman of the Kenya-China Alumni Association, said the forum that is held annually provided an opportunity to commemorate achievements in Sino-Kenyan bilateral ties while enabling both sides to explore new areas of collaboration. Established in the early 1990s, the association gathers local professionals who have studied in the Asian country with the mission of utilizing their expertise in various fields such as engineering, medicine and diplomacy to foster economic and cultural development at home, Rotich said.

He said that many Kenyan youths who have studied in China are returning home armed with skills and expertise that can be harnessed to promote inclusive growth, cohesion and better cross-cultural understanding. “Our alumni members represent a vital bridge between our two nations,” Rotich said, hailing the FOCAC and the BRI for facilitating infrastructure modernization, trade, and connectivity in Kenya and across the African continent. According to Rotich, Kenya-China cooperation enjoys a sound footing and is well poised to expand further to cover critical areas like manufacturing, technology, health, education and skill development.

Zhang Zhizhong, minister counselor and deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, noted that 2024 has been a successful year for bilateral cooperation between Kenya and China, featuring high-level visits and cordial interactions between senior officials from both countries. China-Kenya cooperation is unleashing fruitful outcomes, given the commitment, sincerity, goodwill and mutual trust espoused by top leadership from both countries, he said.

The forum wrapped up with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kenya-China Alumni Association, Chinese enterprises and chambers of commerce, focusing on how both sides can foster commercial ties and the sharing of knowledge and best practices to achieve mutual benefits. 

Xinhua