‘In the past four years, China has mobilised over US$23 billion under the GDI framework and implemented numerous practical measures. “For example, we have set up the Global Development Project Pool with more than 1,800 cooperation projects launched in eight priority areas: poverty reduction, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialisation, the digital economy and digital-era connectivity’ – Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan
By The Weekly Vision Correspondent
China has reaffirmed its commitment to financing infrastructure development in Kenya under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and is rallying United Nations agencies to support Kenya’s projects and programmes in the wake of United States President Donald Trump’s significant aid cuts.
Speaking during the opening of a GDI seminar, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, noted that under the framework, China–Kenya cooperation has flourished and yielded abundant results. “As we all know, China ranks as Kenya’s largest trading partner and the largest source of imports, while Kenya remains China’s largest trading partner in East Africa. The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Thwake Dam stand as flagship projects of Kenya’s Vision 2030. The Nairobi Expressway, Garissa Solar Power Station and Talanta Sports Stadium are vivid witnesses of our shared development.”
She added that Kenya’s tea, coffee, flowers, and avocados are increasingly entering China’s vast market. “We look forward to Kenya benefiting from China’s zero-tariff measures at an early date. These projects not only help Kenya address its development bottlenecks, they also bring GDI’s visions of results-oriented action, a people-centred approach, and green development to life. As a Kenyan proverb says, ‘If we walk together, the road ahead will be brighter (Mbele iko sawa ikiwa tunakwenda pamoja)’,” Haiyan said.
She told the forum that GDI is a strong engine driving the building of an All-Weather China–Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. She added that as the largest developing country, China has always been a partner in Africa’s development. “In June, President Xi Jinping announced the expansion of zero-tariff treatment to 100 per cent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which China maintains diplomatic ties. China and Africa are working together to advance modernisation and jointly build an All-Weather China–Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.”
Haiyan stated that Kenya is a clear example of this cooperation, noting that in April, President William Ruto paid a successful State visit to China and voiced his support for GDI. “The two Heads of State agreed to elevate our ties to a China–Kenya Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and build it into an inspiring example of South–South cooperation.”
She said GDI and the 2030 Agenda are highly compatible, with aligned goals, connected visions, and complementary pathways. She added that they are guided by six core principles: development as a priority, a people-centred approach, inclusiveness and shared benefits, innovation-driven development, harmony between humanity and nature, and results-oriented action. These principles, she said, support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “GDI’s strong appeal is evident, with over 130 countries and international organisations participating, and more than 80 countries, including Kenya, joining the Group of Friends of GDI,” the envoy added.
According to Haiyan, in the past four years, China has mobilised over US$23 billion under the GDI framework and implemented numerous practical measures. “For example, we have set up the Global Development Project Pool with more than 1,800 cooperation projects launched in eight priority areas: poverty reduction, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialisation, the digital economy and digital-era connectivity.”
She added that China has also established the Global Development Promotion Centre Network and scaled up the Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund (GDSSCF) to US$4 billion. Through this fund, China has supported more than 20 international agencies to implement a Clean Stove Project in developing countries, contributing to a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world.
According to the envoy, President Xi Jinping has solemnly declared that as a responsible major developing country, China will not seek special and differential treatment in current or future World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations. “These steps prove China’s commitment to placing its own development within the broader vision of humanity’s common progress. China stands ready to work with countries across the Global South through extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to build balanced and universally beneficial development partnerships.”
Haiyan noted that the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee recently adopted recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2025–2030). This document charts a grand blueprint for China’s development in the next five years, as well as a promising vision for win-win cooperation between China and the world.
In the coming years, China will deepen reforms, expand high-level opening up, and promote high-quality economic development at a reasonable growth rate. “Let me conclude by emphasising that a China that continues advancing modernisation will create more opportunities for the common development of all nations. A China committed to peace and development will shoulder greater responsibilities for the progress of humankind.”
