Kenya through eyes of Chinese children award gala held in Shanghai

The China Africa Peace Foundation, the Shanghai Himalayas Museum and the Kenyan Embassy in China on Tuesday awarded over 300 students who participated in a cartoon competition showcasing various aspects of Kenya.

The Peace Cup China-Africa Children’s International Cartoons competition for 2023 under the theme “Adventures in the Animal Kingdom” in Shanghai showcased Kenya’s tourism, culture, wildlife, landscape and development through the eyes of Chinese children aged between four and 18 years.

The categories of awards included Peace Award, Silk Road Award and 21 Special Awards.

The International Peace Foundation is also organizing Chinese for children and their parents to visit Kenya for Summer of 2024 and 2025.

“By December 2023 over 300 members had registered for the Summer 2024 Holiday trip to Kenya for 10 days,” the organisers say.

The trip would be a huge boost for Kenya’s tourism, as the country seeks to increase tourist numbers and earnings.

Minister Counsellor Rebecca Ekuam, who represented Ambassador Willy Bett at the ceremony, said Kenya takes immense pride choice of the theme “Adventures in the Animal Kingdom", as it resonates deeply with its tourism.

“These works showcase Kenya’s nature and wildlife and promote Kenya as a tourist attraction for the world citizens. Kenya prides itself as a tourist destination, and its commitment to conservancy aligns with the spirit of this award ceremony,” Ekuam said in her speech.

“Through the lens of these young artists, we witness the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, fostering a shared appreciation for the world we inhabit."

The Peace Cup, she said, signifies a shared commitment to peace, understanding, and cooperation, and that such an event reinforces the notion that art transcends borders, serving as a bridge between diverse cultures and fostering mutual respect.

Ekuam welcomed Chinese people to visit Kenya for holidays, at a time she noted the Kenyan government has made it easy for tourists to visit the country under the new tourism strategy.

“In January 2024, Kenya became a visa-free country for visitors from all over the world. The new digital platform ensures all visitors receive Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance instead of applying for a visa,” she said.

“This has opened Kenya as a visa-free country, allowing our visitors to enjoy and experience the calm beaches of the coastal region, take the safaris and witness the world wonder - the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara to hiking on Mt Kenya, which provides a thrilling experience to our guests."

Among those who attended were China Africa Peace Foundation chairman Zhang Ming, Himalayas Museum curator Zou Jiacheng, Education Attache at the Kenya Embassy Innocent Mogunde and a group of students studying in Shanghai

Peter Gikonyo, a Chinese Language and Culture PhD student and UoN lecturer and Jiang San Bo, director Xu Beihong Cultural Centre (Beijing), were recognised as expert judges.