A colorful reception was held July 9 in honor of the incoming 15th Chinese ambassador to and permanent representative to the UN Environmental Program and the UN-Habitat. Sun Baohong, the embassy's first, was buoyant about the existing Sino-Kenyan relationship and said she is committed to pushing it to a higher level during her term."It is a glorious mission with weighty responsibilities," she said.
In her speech, Sun disclosed that she is familiar with Africa, having visited more than 30 Africa countries, and is also no stranger to Kenya. She accompanied the special envoy of Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2013, during the inauguration ceremony of his counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, besides several other instances. "In August of the same year, I participated in the reception of His Excellency's first state visit to Beijing, China and accompanied the delegation to visit other cities," she said.
The Peking University graduate said the 19th CPC National Congress held in October ushered in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and drew the blueprint for development to last to the middle of the century. "The Chinese people are striving to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. While striving for its own development, China actively contributes to promoting common development and common progress of all mankind. China is committed to the building of a community with shared future for mankind and promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. Upholding justice while pursuing shared interests, China seeks to enhance solidarity and cooperation with developing countries including African countries," she said.
Sun noted that Kenya has unveiled its national agenda that would promote unity and social and economic development as well as improve people's lives. She therefore pledged to work with the Kenyan government and people to strengthen mutual political trust, promote pragmatic cooperation in all areas, give full support to the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda, and speed up the alignment of both countries’ development strategies. In addition, she would ensure that the bilateral relationship is fruitful and beneficial to the two peoples, "so that Kenya will be an example in the building of a community with shared future for China and Africa," she said.
Present during the ceremony was Ababu Namwamba, the cabinet administrative secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said Kenya looks forward to a continued sustainable working relationship with the embassy. "The China-Kenya relationship has had a transformative impact to our economy and I am glad that you have already experienced the standard gauge railway. We would like to widen the impact to other sectors including manufacturing, health, housing and food security that make up the Big Four Agenda."
Among the dignitaries present were James Macharia, the cabinet secretary for transport and infrastructure development; Saitoti Torome, principal secretary in the Ministry of Defence; and Peter Mbithi, vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
(Source: China Daily)