Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan./HANDOUT
This year marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. Over the past five years, a succession of new breakthroughs and changes has been achieved, defining the landscape of China’s growth at the moment.
First, China’s economy has a solid foundation. The annual value-added of China’s manufacturing industry has exceeded $4.2 trillion, the highest in the world for 15 consecutive years. The output of more than 220 key industrial products has ranked first place in the world.
Adora Magic City, the domestically built large cruise ship, has embarked on her maiden voyage. C919, the domestically developed large passenger aircraft, has commenced commercial flights. The Chang'e-6 lunar probe has brought the first samples from the Moon’s far side back to Earth. China’s economy has increased over the past five years and has surpassed the size of the third-largest economy in the world.
Second, innovation is the new driving force. China's total expenditure on research and development in 2024 saw a 50 per cent increase compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), and the increased spending amounts to $170 billion. China hosts 26 among the top 100 global science and technology innovation clusters, ranking first globally.
The number of Chinese high-tech enterprises has exceeded 460,000. Multiple global "firsts" have been created with breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, manned spaceflight and deep-space exploration. China is making great strides in transforming herself from the global manufacturing hub into the global innovation centre.
Third, the benefits of economic developments are delivered to the Chinese people at large. China has accomplished the daunting task of eliminating absolute poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule.
The average life expectancy in China has reached 79 years, and the basic old-age insurance coverage has reached over 95 per cent of the population. The popularisation of education at all levels in China has caught up or overtaken the corresponding average levels in middle- and high-income countries.
Fourth, China’s economy features openness and inclusiveness. In 2024, China's total trade in goods reached $6.16 trillion, maintaining her position as the world’s largest trading nation for the eighth consecutive year. The service trade of China surpassed $1 trillion, ranking second globally. Faced with external challenges, China has made active efforts to diversify her export markets.
ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for the past five consecutive years, and China’s trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries now accounts for over 50 per cent of the total foreign trade. The industrial and supply chains of China are now more complete, agile and resilient, equipping China’s foreign trade to better respond to global challenges.
Fifth, China focuses on green and energy-efficient development. China has contributed the largest share of the world's newly added greenery, with its forest coverage rate rising to over 25 per cent. Pollution control has yielded notable progress, with the proportion of days with good air quality consistently staying around 87 per cent.
Clean energy transition is speeding up, with installed capacity of renewable energy power generation surpassing that of coal-fired power plants. China has built the world’s largest clean power generation system. The number of electronic vehicles in use has reached 31.4 million. Blue skies, white clouds, lush mountains and clear waters have become a common daily sight.
Looking to the future, China’s growth prospects remain bright. The strong leadership of the Communist Party of China ensures that the country stays on the right course, and the strengths of China’s governance system in pooling resources for major undertakings guarantee the accomplishment of the national development goals.
The mega market of China provides ample space and strong momentum for science and technology innovation as well as industrial upgrading. China is capable of safeguarding its development rights and interests and is ready to contribute to building a more just and equitable global governance system.
China and Kenya are strategic partners in building a community with a shared future for the human race in the new era, as well as companions on the path to modernisation. China is deepening Belt and Road cooperation with Kenya and other African countries and implementing zero-tariff treatment for African countries by negotiating and signing partnership agreements for common development.
By jointly advancing modernisation, China and Africa will vigorously promote cooperation within the Global South, charter brighter prospects for the cause of world peace and development, and collectively contribute to building a community with a shared future for the human race.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya
