Chinese Embassy marks 77th National Day as zero tariffs lift Kenyan exports to China

NAIROBI — The Chinese Embassy in Kenya held a reception on 30 September to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

More than 500 guests attended, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi. They included senior government officials, Members of Parliament, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, Chinese companies and the Chinese community in Kenya.

Ambassador Guo Haiyan and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi cut the 77th anniversary cake.

Ambassador Guo: 77 years of change

Ambassador Guo Haiyan told guests that China has become the world's second-largest economy, with GDP per person rising from US$36 to US$13,900, and that it has contributed more than 30% of global economic growth for many years running. China is now the world's largest manufacturer, goods trader and holder of invention patents, she said, accounting for 60% of global sales of new-energy vehicles and 97% of humanoid-robot shipments.

On the environment, she said China's forest cover has risen to 25%, accounting for about a quarter of the world's new green area; a 3,046-kilometre green belt now rings the Taklamakan Desert; and cities record good air quality on 88% of days. She credited the Communist Party of China and the path of Chinese modernisation for these changes.

70 years of China–Africa ties: zero tariffs for 53 countries

Guo noted that this year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. China does not interfere in African affairs, she said, and has opened its market unilaterally, granting zero-tariff treatment without conditions to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. She called on the international community to pay more attention to Africa, listen to its voice and invest more there.

She outlined President Xi Jinping's Global Development, Global Security, Global Civilization and Global Governance initiatives, and said China would use its modernisation to help other countries modernise. She also mentioned President Xi's state visit to the United States last week.

Kenyan avocado-oil exports to China up 700%

Turning to Kenya, Guo said the past year had brought strong results, including a visit by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who met President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Since zero tariffs took full effect in May, she said, Kenya's avocado-oil exports to China grew 700% year on year by the end of August, sea cucumber and other aquatic products rose 350%, and coffee exports nearly doubled. She congratulated Kenya on becoming a founding member of the International Organization for Mediation, the World AI Cooperation Organization and the international alliance against telecom and online fraud. More than 20 events were held under the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and over 1,000 Kenyans went to China for training or study.

Guo said China hopes zero tariffs, an upgraded "green channel" for exports to China and other measures will bring more Kenyan products to the Chinese market, and that it wants to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, youth, and science and technology. She also sent National Day greetings to the Chinese community in Kenya, saying the embassy "is your home in Kenya".

Mudavadi: zero-tariff "early harvest" already paying off

Mudavadi conveyed National Day greetings to the Chinese government and people. According to The Star, he recalled President William Ruto's 2025 state visit to China, which raised the relationship to a new level and produced agreements on finance, manufacturing and value addition, infrastructure, health, tourism, culture and education.

He said Kenya and China signed an Early Harvest Agreement under the China-Africa Development Economic Partnership Agreement (CADEPA) in March, which took effect in May, so Kenyan exports now enter China tariff-free — already lifting sales of coffee, avocados and tea. Kenya is ready to begin comprehensive negotiations on the full agreement, he said.

Mudavadi praised China's role in roads, railways and renewable energy, pointing to plans to dual the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway towards Kisumu and Malaba and to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha through Kisumu to Malaba. The projects would improve regional connectivity, give landlocked neighbours access to the Indian Ocean and could turn farming areas along the corridor into Special Economic Zones, he said.

He said Kenya could learn from China's long-term approach to nation-building. "Strong institutions are critical in fighting corruption, combating tribalism, and enhancing national unity," he said, adding that the government is preparing a new development framework as Vision 2030 draws to a close.

Addressing the diplomats in the room, he also turned to next year's vote: "On 10th August 2027, we look forward to a safe, peaceful, petition-free and goons-free election." The independence of the electoral commission, IEBC, must be strengthened and protected, he said.

Guests at the reception praised China's achievements and expressed good wishes for relations between the two countries.

Mudavadi also spoke at the embassy's reception for the 76th anniversary last September.

Photos: Embassy of China in Kenya
Source: Embassy of China in Kenya, official WeChat account (reception report and Ambassador Guo Haiyan's speech); The Star (Kenya)