Africa-Press – Kenya. China on Tuesday hosted a colourful reception in Nairobi to usher in the Lunar New Year of the Horse and officially close the China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, reaffirming its commitment to deeper cooperation with Kenya and Africa.
The event brought together diplomats, government officials, legislators, cultural stakeholders and members of the Chinese community, marking a milestone in growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Guests were treated to a vibrant cultural showcase marked by acrobatic performances by Kenyan and Chinese nationals, a lively chef play-show, traditional dances, and musical performances by visiting groups from China’s Gansu Province.
The evening also featured servings of Chinese cuisine, giving attendees a taste of China’s rich culinary heritage and symbolising the cultural bridge between the two nations.
A puppeteer wows diplomats, government officials and guests at the Chinese New Year reception in Nairobi, February 10, 2026. /ENOS TECHEChinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan speaks to the press during the reception to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Nairobi, Tuesday Feb 10, 2026. /ENOS TECHE
Speaking at the reception, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said China remains committed to opening up its vast economy to the world while strengthening partnerships across Africa.
“Looking ahead, China will continue to implement the new philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, fully leverage the advantages of its vast market of 1.4 billion people, and advance high-quality development,” Ambassador Guo said.
“With the increasingly sound market rules and robust institutional guarantees, China will continue to provide the international community with even more ‘China opportunities’.”
She noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, a year designated by President Xi Jinping and African leaders as the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges”.
Guo also highlighted China’s longstanding diplomatic tradition with the continent, pointing out that Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited the African Union, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho.
“This marks the 36th consecutive year for Africa to be the destination of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s first overseas trip of the year, demonstrating China’s profound friendship with Africa and the great importance China attaches to deepening China-Africa relations,” she said.
She added that China is ready to work closely with African countries, including Kenya, to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
“In the year ahead, China stands ready to work with African countries… to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, combine the strengths of the Global South, champion the common values of humanity, advance together towards a community with a shared future for humanity, and jointly charter a new chapter of cooperation.”
Representing the Kenyan government, Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir said Kenya and China enjoy cordial and fraternal relations grounded in mutual trust and mutual benefit.
“This season has especially been significant following the state visit by His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto to the People’s Republic of China in April,” Bashir said, noting increased bilateral visits and cooperation across diverse sectors.
She observed that Nairobi is emerging as a regional hub, hosting over 400 Chinese government agencies, corporations and media houses, with Chinese regional offices creating more than 200,000 jobs in Kenya.
Bashir outlined key areas of collaboration, including scholarships that have enabled thousands of Kenyan students to study in China, cultural and scientific research through the Sino–Kenya Archaeological Project, media content-sharing agreements signed in July 2024, partnerships in film and creative arts, Confucius Institutes in Kenyan universities, tea diplomacy, and cooperation between national museums.
“These multifaceted avenues of collaboration underscore the enduring and dynamic cultural ties between Kenya and China, fostering mutual respect and shared growth,” she said.
“As we celebrate the close of season and the advance of this New Year, let us remember our diversity is our strength, our heritage is our pride, and our unity is our future.”
She officially declared the end of the Kenya–China Cultural and Tourism Season and wished guests a happy Lunar New Year.
The reception symbolised the growing partnership between Kenya and China, anchored in cultural understanding, economic cooperation and shared aspirations for development.
