Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, has extended New Year greetings to Kenya as the country prepares to usher in the Chinese Year of the Horse, highlighting the strengthening of China–Kenya relations and the successful conclusion of the 2025 China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season.
Speaking at the 2026 Chinese New Year Reception, Ambassador Haiyan described the Spring Festival as the most important traditional festival of the Chinese nation, noting that its essence lies in reunion, renewal, and wishing for good fortune.
“Families and friends exchange New Year greetings, paste Spring Festival couplets to convey aspirations for the year ahead, set off fireworks to dispel misfortune, and give out red envelopes to share blessings,” she said.
Ambassador Haiyan expressed gratitude to friends from all sectors who have supported China–Kenya relations and acknowledged the contributions of the Chinese community in Kenya.
“I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to the Chinese community in Kenya, who have taken root in Africa and made contributions with hard work and dedication,” she said.
She underscored the global significance of the festival, noting its recognition by UNESCO in 2024 as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“With the advance of globalisation, it has increasingly become a worldwide cultural carnival, underscoring its value as a shared cultural and ethical treasure of mankind,” Ambassador Haiyan added.
The ambassador also reflected on the diplomatic and cultural milestones achieved between China and Kenya over the past year.
She said 2025 was a pivotal year for bilateral relations, building on President William Ruto’s state visit to China.
“China and Kenya have upgraded the relationship, entering the new stage of building a community with a shared future for the new era,” she said.
In line with agreements reached by the two heads of state, the countries launched the 2025 China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, which ran for six months.
Activities included the opening ceremony of the season, live coverage of the Wildebeest Migration, the China Animated Film Festival, the Kenya Wushu National Championship, the Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine, and the China–Kenya Friendship Games.
Ambassador Haiyan said these events strengthened people-to-people and cultural exchanges, contributing to the building of a China–Kenya community with a shared future.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to all institutions and individuals from both countries who have devoted their efforts to ensuring the success of these activities,” she said.
Beyond bilateral cultural ties, Ambassador Haiyan highlighted China’s economic achievements and development plans.
She said that 2025 marked the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, during which the country achieved an average annual economic growth rate of about 5.4 per cent and a total economic output of approximately US$20 trillion.
China’s imports of goods and services exceeded US$15 trillion, while outward investment generated more than US$300 billion in tax revenues for host countries. She added that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in October 2025 approved recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Haiyan said China would continue pursuing innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development.
She noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, designated by President Xi Jinping and African leaders as the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”
She highlighted Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visits to the African Union, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Lesotho as a demonstration of China’s ongoing commitment to Africa.
“China stands ready to work with African countries, including Kenya, to seize the opportunities of the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 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,” she said.
Ambassador Haiyan concluded by congratulating the successful conclusion of the 2025 China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season and wishing all guests good fortune, health, and lasting happiness in 2026.
Gladys Shollei, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Ummi Bashir, Principal
Secretary for Culture and
Heritage, John Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary for
Tourism, Hassan Omar Hassan, Secretary General
of the UDA and Zainab Hawa Bangura,
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, were present.