The China-Kenya Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: The Governance of China attracted more than 200 representatives from diplomatic missions, international organizations, and other sectors of both countries, who regarded the book as a valuable resource for developing countries.
The forum, held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on December 1 (local time), was co-hosted by China’s State Council Information Office, China International Communications Group and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.
William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, said the newly released volume–the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China–offers readers a clearer view of China’s path of modernization, reform and global engagement, and how and why China places people at the center of governance.
“Kenya is also advancing a bottom up economic transformation agenda to strengthen an economy that benefits ordinary citizens and lifts millions out of poverty,” Gitau said.
China’s experience, he said, shows that progress depends on constant reform, a view Kenya shares as it modernizes its institutions, digitizes government services and prepares its youth for the digital economy.
Mo Gaoyi, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the State Council Information Office, said the book series outlines the historical achievements, development path and defining features of China’s approach to modernization, offering useful insights and practical ideas for Global South countries pursuing their own modernization goals. He noted that building a new era China-Kenya community with a shared future is expected to add strong momentum to China-Africa cooperation and broader Global South solidarity.
Hassan Omar Hassan, Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance of Kenya, said the book provides visions grounded in the realities of China, which could offer references for Kenya’s own development challenges. He pointed out that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative aligns closely with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development plan, supporting infrastructure, connectivity and economic transformation.
Key outcomes include the standard gauge railway from Mombasa to Nairobi, which has significantly cut travel time and boosted efficiency, and major road and port upgrades that enhance logistics, Hassan said. “These projects have created jobs, stimulated investment and strengthened Kenya’s position as a commercial hub.”
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan called for more exchanges based on the text to strengthen understanding, explore shared development paths and build closer cooperation.
Beatrice Elachi Kadeveresia, Member of the National Assembly and Secretary-General of the Kenya-China Friendship Association, told the forum that China’s poverty reduction and modernization practices provide insights for Kenya in launching the Vision 2030 goals, especially in agriculture, industrialization and infrastructure.
Readers attending the forum held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on December 1 (COURTESY PHOTO)
During the event, the Chinese delegation presented guests with English copies of the fifth volume of the book series, which has been translated into 44 languages and distributed to over 180 countries and regions since 2014, with the fifth volume published this July.
The fifth volume stands as a significant testament to the development of China-Africa friendship, said Paul Ilado, Group Editorial Director of Radio Africa. Ilado noted in recent years, Radio Africa has witnessed the remarkable progress of cooperation and people-to-people exchange between China and Kenya.
“The book series serve as a window for the international community to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary China,” Yu Tao, Vice President of CICG, told the forum.
Yu added that next year will be the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and CICG is willing to further cooperate with Kenya on media, publishing, translation and think tanks to improve African readers’ understanding of the book.
Ma Rujun, President of Foreign Languages Press, the publisher of the book series, said all five volumes include President Xi Jinping’s key speeches on China-Africa relations, showing President Xi’s consistent commitment to the partnership and his deep affection for the people of Africa. –The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
