News22 May 2026 - 18:27

Kenya and China turn to wildlife, culture in new partnership push

The call came during celebrations marking the International Day for Biological Diversity in Nairobi.

by MOSES OGADA

Audio By Vocalize

Kenya and China have renewed calls for deeper cooperation on biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism and cultural exchanges.

The call came during celebrations marking the International Day for Biological Diversity in Nairobi.

The commemorations were organised by Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau and the Yanwu Group of Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province, China.

Government officials, conservation experts, tourism stakeholders and diplomats gathered for the launch of a 10-day China-Africa Biodiversity Exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya.

A China-Africa Eco-Cultural Tourism Cooperation Promotion Conference also marked the event.

The Kenya Tourism Board and Yanwu Group Company Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the exchanges.

The events form part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and seek to deepen ecological and tourism collaboration between the two sides amid growing concerns over climate change and biodiversity loss.

Kenya and Yancheng City are seeking to position their globally recognised natural heritage sites to boost conservation partnerships and tourism flows.

Speaking during the launch, Zhou Jun, Deputy Representative of the China Mission to UNEP, said biodiversity remains central to humanity’s survival and sustainable development.

“Biodiversity is fundamental for human survival,” Zhou said, noting that China and African countries have increasingly found common ground in environmental protection and green growth initiatives.

He said resolutions reached during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit committed both sides to advancing green development and environmental sustainability.

“China has achieved a protection rate of 80 per cent for plants and wildlife,” Zhou said, adding that the country was keen to share experiences and strengthen partnerships with African countries in conservation research and ecological management.

The exhibition, organised by Xinhua News Agency Africa Bureau under the theme “Enchanted Encounters”, showcases photographs capturing wildlife and landscapes from Kenya and China’s Yancheng City, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and International Wetland City.

Among the highlights of the exhibition is the Yancheng Milu Deer, a rare species that has become symbolic of China’s wetland conservation efforts. Kenya’s Lake Naivasha hippos and waterbucks also feature prominently.

Ying Qiang, Director of Xinhua Africa Bureau, said the exhibition was designed to demonstrate the ecological connections between East Africa and East Asia despite the geographical distance between the two regions.

“From the coast of the Yellow Sea in East Asia to the vast lands of East Africa, thousands are closely connected by the same rhythm of life,” Ying said.

He added that the photographs not only capture the vitality of wildlife but also tell a shared story of ecological conservation and coexistence between humans and nature.

Kenyan officials used the event to reaffirm the country’s commitment to conservation partnerships with China, particularly in research, tourism and biodiversity protection.

Samuel Agunga, Assistant Director in the Wildlife Department, said Kenya appreciates the growing collaboration with the Chinese government in biodiversity conservation.

“We continue to face shared challenges like climate change, which call for more joint research and cooperation,” Agunga said.

His sentiments were echoed by Simon Akunja, Deputy Director in the Wildlife Department, who said the exhibition offered an important platform for knowledge exchange and public awareness on conservation.

The event also highlighted growing tourism ties between the two countries as Kenya seeks to attract more Chinese tourists and diversify its visitor markets.

June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, said Kenya and Yancheng had agreed to jointly market each other’s tourist destinations following discussions with Yancheng Municipal People’s Government officials led by Chen Weihong.

“Yancheng and Kenya are both UNESCO-recognised heritage sites. We are working on the cooperation and are looking forward to growing the numbers from both sides,” Chepkemei said.

She said Kenya hopes to double the number of Chinese tourists visiting the country from last year’s 100,000 arrivals through intensified cultural and tourism exchanges.

Chepkemei said Kenya intends to showcase key attractions, including the Maasai Mara National Reserve, elephant habitats in Amboseli National Park and the scenic Great Rift Valley, to Chinese visitors.

Tourism stakeholders said the collaboration could open new opportunities for eco-tourism investments, cultural exchanges and conservation financing between the two countries.

Henry Rotich, chairman of the Kenya China Alumni Association, said the exhibition demonstrated how cultural diplomacy can strengthen bilateral relations beyond trade and infrastructure cooperation.

“Through these pictures, we get a unique opportunity to experience Yancheng City,” Rotich said.

“The exhibition is a strong reminder that cultural exchange is strengthening relations between the two sides and promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.”

He added that such engagements help create lasting friendships and open new opportunities for collaboration between citizens of both countries.

The event comes at a time when both Kenya and China are increasingly positioning environmental sustainability and ecological conservation as central pillars of international cooperation.

Organisers said the initiative also aligns with China’s Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates respect for biodiversity and joint efforts to address transnational challenges such as climate change, habitat degradation and environmental pollution.

As the exhibition opened to the public, officials expressed hope that the photographs and cultural showcases would inspire greater appreciation for biodiversity conservation while strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties between Africa and China.

For Kenya, the partnership is also expected to support efforts to position the country as a leading eco-tourism destination while tapping into growing Chinese tourism demand.