NAIROBI, June 30 (NNN-KBC) — Pujiang County Magistrate Liu Xi has reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to Africa’s development through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), pledging his county’s readiness to actively contribute to deepening China-Kenya cooperation.
Speaking at the 2025 China (Pujiang)–Kenya Economic and Trade Promotion Conference in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, Liu underscored Pujiang’s robust economic foundation and cultural ties with Kenya, promising to translate shared aspirations into tangible partnerships.
“As we continue to drive industrial innovation and technological advancement, we look forward to exchanges and collaboration with businesses across Kenya,” he stated.
Liu’s remarks followed the recent elevation of China-Kenya relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for a New Era, announced by Presidents Xi Jinping and William Ruto during their meeting on April 24 in Beijing.
The Governor expressed his commitment to faithfully implement President Xi’s policy of “sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith” towards Africa, working to convert that vision into sustainable development outcomes for both sides.
“Centuries ago, Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea journeyed to Kenya along the ancient Maritime Silk Road,” Liu said. “Today, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is thriving once again. Pujiang is ready to join hands with Kenya in creating new economic bridges built on mutual trust and practical cooperation.” he said in his speech at the event convened to promote collaboration between the two sides.
Situated in China’s vibrant eastern coastal region and under the jurisdiction of Jinhua City in Zhejiang Province, Pujiang is also emerging as one of the vital nodes in the BRI’s global network. Governor Liu highlighted the county’s expanding role in trade and industry, citing its impressive economic performance and strong connections with Africa.
In 2024, Pujiang recorded 100 million yuan in trade with Kenya—a 39.5% year-on-year increase—making Kenya its second-largest African export destination. Between January and April 2025, trade grew by 23.2%, reaching 38.17 million yuan.
Jinhua City, of which Pujiang is part, is regarded as a “gateway hub” for China-Africa cooperation. Since 2014, Jinhua has achieved 873.69 billion yuan in trade with Africa, with Kenya consistently among its top partners. The city also hosts significant events such as the China-Africa Economic and Cultural Forum and promotes African capacity building—having trained over 13,000 students and nearly 10,000 technical personnel from the continent.
In his remarks, Liu outlined Pujiang’s “3+3+1” modern industrial development strategy as a key platform for future Kenya-China collaboration. The strategy comprises:
- Three traditional pillars: crystal products, textiles and garments, and padlocks.
- Three emerging industries: photovoltaics and optoelectronics, high-end equipment manufacturing, and electronic information.
- One future industry: hydrogen energy.
He said Pujiang is already a global leader in these sectors, holding significant shares in the world market for crystal crafts and textiles. The county also benefits from its proximity to Yiwu—China’s hub for small commodities—as well as seamless logistics access via Shanghai Port, the largest Chinese port for trade with Africa.
Governor Liu noted that these advantages position Pujiang as an ideal partner for Kenyan enterprises looking to tap into China’s flourishing consumer market and technological expertise.
“We are committed to contributing to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between China and Kenya,” the Magistrate stated.
Liu also highlighted the cultural and environmental affinities between Pujiang and Kenya. Both regions boast ancient civilizations, rich artistic traditions, and renowned natural beauty. Pujiang is home to the 10,000-year-old Shangshan archaeological site, the origin of global rice cultivation, and has received international acclaim—including the United Nations’ “Champions of the Earth” award—for its ecological practices.
He stressed the importance of deeper cultural exchanges between the two nations, stating that this would enhance mutual understanding.
“We are bound not only by trade and technology but by a shared heritage of cultural depth and environmental stewardship,” Liu said. “This mutual understanding will anchor our future cooperation.”
The Magistrate expressed optimism over future partnership with Kenyan entrepreneurs across sectors, stating: “We are eager to walk hand in hand with businesses from Kenya to forge a path of complementary strengths, mutual benefit, and shared development,”
“We sincerely hope that this promotion conference will serve as a new starting point—one where both sides leverage their strengths, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly create a brighter future.”
Among the Kenyan entrepreneurs attending the Roundtable meeting in Nairobi to explore commercial agreements was was Felix Owino, whose agribusiness secured a trade deal that allows his firm to export farm produce to China.
“China is leading in many areas—industrialization, technology, artificial intelligence, you name it. It is ahead on numerous fronts,” remarked Owino.
John Kilonzo, Machakos CECM for Trade, Industry and Innovation, also present at the event, explained that Kenya stands to gain significantly from strengthening its ties with China, the world’s second-largest economy, especially in its pursuit of developmental goals.
“China is far ahead in terms of technology, and now is a good time for us to learn from them. Technology is a key driver of industrial development and economic growth, as well as a means of creating jobs for our youth, who are in urgent need of employment,” he stated.
Liu extended an invitation to Kenyan leaders, entrepreneurs, and partners to visit Pujiang and explore its economic potential firsthand.
“Let this conference be our starting point—a place where we combine our strengths, expand practical cooperation, and work together to create a better future,” he remarked. — NNN-KBC
