Kenya reaffirms commitment to stronger defense ties with China

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defense cooperation with China, describing the partnership as one built on mutual trust, respect, and shared aspirations for peace, security, and prosperity.

Speaking during celebrations marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Tuesday, the Kenyan government said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the expanding defense partnership between Kenya and China.

Lieutenant General John Omenda, Kenya's vice-chief of defense forces, said that Kenya-China cooperation has steadily expanded through military diplomacy, professional training, equipment support, peace support operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

"China and Kenya have in recent years strengthened military exchanges through high-level visits, joint training programs, capacity building initiatives, and cooperation in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, reflecting the broader strategic partnership between the two countries," he said.

Omenda, who spoke on behalf of Defence Cabinet Secretary of Kenya Soipan Tuya, said the ministry highly values the long-standing and mutually beneficial defense relations between the two countries.

According to Omenda, the partnership has continued to evolve in line with the two countries' shared security interests and common goal of promoting regional stability.

"I reiterate Kenya's commitment to further deepening defense cooperation with China in ways that are mutually beneficial and aligned with each country's national defense priorities," he said during the event in Nairobi.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, pledged Beijing's readiness to help African countries strengthen their independent capacity to address both traditional and emerging security challenges while supporting the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Silencing the Guns initiative.

"China stands ready to continue helping African countries build stronger independent capacities in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime security, disaster response, and public health," Guo said.

The ambassador, while noting that China will continue contributing to Africa's peace and security efforts, described Kenya as a key security partner in East Africa, praising its role in regional peace processes, United Nations peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism efforts, and humanitarian missions.

She said China and Kenya have maintained practical cooperation in personnel training, military exchanges, peacekeeping operations, maritime security, and emergency rescue, noting that the partnership has contributed to peace and stability in East Africa and across the Horn of Africa.

Guo said that China is prepared to expand exchanges and cooperation with Kenya under the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, while advancing the building of a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.

The ambassador emphasized that China's military modernization is defensive in nature and aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development while contributing to global peace.

"China will never seek hegemony, never seek expansion, and never seek spheres of influence," she said.

Guo said the Chinese People's Liberation Army has evolved into an important force for international peace by participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions, international maritime escort operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, medical support, and military exchanges.

She noted that China is promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative to help address global deficits in peace, development, security, and governance.

She warned that geopolitical tensions, power politics, terrorism, climate change, cyber threats, and public health challenges have made the global security environment increasingly complex, arguing that no country can achieve lasting security at the expense of others.

"The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation," she said, calling for countries to embrace common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.