Kenya officially inaugurated its Consulate General in Guangzhou on August 4, expanding its diplomatic presence in southern China, one of China's most dynamic economic regions. That morning, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the consulate's office in Pazhou, a business and exhibition district in Guangzhou, followed by an inauguration luncheon attended by officials from China and Kenya, members of the diplomatic corps, business representatives and guests from various sectors.
Dr. Abraham Korir Sing'Oei (L), Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs at Kenya's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and James Muhati Buyekane, Kenya's Consul General in Guangzhou, unveil the plaque during the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Guangzhou.
Addressing the luncheon, Ma Wenfeng, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government, said the opening of the Consulate General marks a new milestone in exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong and Kenya. He noted that China and Kenya have enjoyed a time-honored friendship for more than 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, with Guangdong and Kenya achieving fruitful cooperation across a wide range of fields.
Highlighting China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Kenya, Ma said the policy has created historic opportunities for deeper economic and trade cooperation by boosting Kenyan exports of agricultural products such as coffee and macadamia nuts to China. He also noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and has been designated China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, adding that Guangdong is ready to align the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with Kenya's Vision 2030 and deepen cooperation in agricultural technology, the digital economy, green energy and other sectors.
Dr. Abraham Korir Sing'Oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs at Kenya's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said the inauguration reflected Kenya's commitment to strengthening engagement with southern China by bringing its diplomatic, commercial and consular services closer to governments, businesses and institutions across the region.
Dr. Abraham Korir Sing'Oei addresses the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Guangzhou.
He said the Consulate General would help expand cooperation in agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energy, tourism, digital technology, logistics and financial services. Stressing that diplomacy extends beyond government-to-government relations, Sing'Oei said stronger connections among businesses, universities, innovators and people were equally important. He added that Kenya served as a gateway to both the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, offering Chinese enterprises broader access to regional and continental markets.
Kenyan Ambassador to China Willy Bett described the Consulate General as an important extension of Kenya's diplomatic presence in China beyond Beijing. He said the mission would work closely with the Kenyan Embassy in Beijing to advance economic diplomacy, facilitate trade and investment, strengthen educational and cultural exchanges, and deepen engagement with governments, businesses and institutions across southern China.
Kenyan Ambassador to China Willy Bett addresses the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Guangzhou.
Kenya's Consul General in Guangzhou James Muhati Buyekane said the new mission would serve as a platform for forging partnerships, creating opportunities and promoting closer Kenya-China cooperation. He thanked the governments of Kenya and China, the Guangdong provincial government, diplomatic partners and the Kenyan community in China for their support in establishing the Consulate General.
James Muhati Buyekane addresses the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Guangzhou.
Serving Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Consulate General is expected to facilitate closer exchanges between Kenya and southern China and promote practical cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Reporter: Yao Jingsen
Photo: Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya in Guangzhou
Chen Yunhan (intern) also contributed to this report.
