Your Excellency Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,

Honourable cabinet secretaries, members of the Parliament,

Ambassadors, High Commissioners, UN officials,

Distinguished guests,

Dear Chinese compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen, and friends,

Good evening!

It is a great pleasure to gather here with you in this beautiful season when jacaranda is in full bloom, to celebrate together the 77thanniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from various sectors who have long cared for and supported China'sdevelopment and promoted China-Kenya friendship.

Seventy-seven years ago, after countless patriots fought and sacrificed their lives, the People's Republic of China was founded. From that moment, the Chinese people stood up, and the Chinese nation took its rightful place among the nations of the world. Looking back at the founders of the People's Republic, they may have envisioned such a future, but could hardly have imagined that, after 77 years of self-reliance and continued struggle, the once impoverished and weak China would leap to the world's second-largest economy, with per capita GDP rising from $36 to $13,900, with a 386-fold increase, and contributing more than 30% to global economic growth for many consecutive years. They may have envisioned but could hardly have imagined that, the absolute poverty that had plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years would be eradicated at its root, and that the world's largest education, social security and health-care systems would cover every corner of the People's Republic. They may have envisioned but could hardly have imagined that, a predominantly agricultural country, where even a tractor could not be manufactured, would emerge as the world's largest manufacturing country, the largest trader in goods and the largest holder of invention patents, with Chinese new energy vehicles accounting for 60% of global sales and humanoid robots accounting for 97% of global shipments. They may have envisioned but could hardly have imagined that, China's splendid traditional culture would regain its vitality in the new century and win the admiration of people around the world, with "Travel to China" and "Chinamaxxing (becoming Chinese)" emerging as cultural trends among young people worldwide. They may have envisioned but could hardly have imagined that, while maintaining rapid development, China's ecological environment would improve so significantly, with forest coverage rising to 25% of the country's total coverage, contributing about one quarter of the world's newly added green areas. The Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert, now has a 3,046-kilometre green belt along its perimeter. Desertification and land degradation have both declined for many consecutive years. The proportion of days with good air quality in Chinese cities has reached 88%, while rare species such as the Yangtze finless porpoise and the Dongbei tiger (Siberian tiger) continue to recover.

Looking back at history, the Chinese nation has journeyed from the brink of extinction to great rejuvenation, overcoming immense hardships along the way, with a spirit of courage and determination. What has transformed China? What has forged the great achievements of national prosperity and strength? What has enabled hundreds of millions of Chinese people to enjoy a better life? The most crucial of all is that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have found the broad path of Chinese-style modernization for building a great country and realizing national rejuvenation. The CPC has always made the people's aspiration for a better life the goal of its endeavors.

Today, we can proudly and confidently tell the heroic pioneers and martyrs who shed their blood 77 years agofor the founding of the People's Republic: the Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up, to growing prosperous, to becoming strong! We can also proudly and confidently tell the world today: the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process that no force can stop!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

China's development cannot be separated from friendly cooperation with countries around the world. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Africa. Seventy years ago, China and Africa joined hands in pursuit of national independence and self-determination. Over the past seven decades, China-Africa friendship has grown stronger through the struggle against imperialism and colonialism, deepened amid the tide of development and revitalization, and been passed down from generation to generation in pursuit of modernization. China always regards Africa as a continent full of hope. We have never interfered in the internal affairs of African countries. Instead, we have firmly supported Africa in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and national dignity. We not only oppose unilateral sanctions but have also proactively expanded unilateral opening-up, granting comprehensive zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which China maintains diplomatic relations, without attaching any conditions. We cherish our traditional friendship. This year, China and Africa have jointly launched the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges", featuring numerous activities across a wide range of fields with broad participation. China has always welcomed African countries to board the express train of China's development and will continue to advance the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. We also call on the international community to pay greater attention to Africa, listen to the voice of Africa and increase investment in Africa.

The collective rise of the Global South is a clear sign of the profound changes taking place in the world. At the same time, the existing international system has failed to adapt to the changing times, weakening the international community's ability to address challenges and holding back the revitalization of developing countries.Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, advocating an equal and orderly multi-polar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and promoting the building of a better world. As a systematic Chinese approach, the four Global Initiatives complement and reinforce one another. Together, they provide a comprehensive framework for action across the four dimensions of development, security, civilization and governance, offering clear strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for humanity. China will always uphold the principles of sharing opportunities and pursuing common development, help countries advance towards modernization through Chinese modernization, and work hand in hand to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the United States of America. This historic visit enriched the connotation of the constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, created a new chapter for our times in China-US relations, and will have long-lasting influence on the cause of maintaining world peace and security.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Over the past year, China-Kenya friendship has continued to advance steadily, and the building of a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era has achieved fruitful results. Our two sides have worked closely to actively implement the series of common understandings reached by the two Heads of State on developing China-Kenya relations.Chinese Vice President Han Zheng visited Kenya and held meetings and exchanges with President Dr. William Ruto and Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki. Since the full implementation of zero-tariff measures in May, Kenya's exports of avocado oil to China had increased by 700%, exports of aquatic products such as sea cucumbers had risen by 350%, and coffee exports had nearly doubled by the end of August. More and more high-quality Kenyan specialty products are now entering into the Chinese market.China and Kenya have also worked together to play a leading role in multilateral affairs. We congratulate Kenya on becoming a founding member of the International Organization for Mediation, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and the International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud.Within the framework of the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges", China and Kenya have held more than 20 diverse events, and over 1,000 Kenyans from various sectors have travelled to China to attend training courses and study programs.Visits between delegations from the two governments, legislatures, political parties and local authorities have continued, further deepening exchanges on governance between the two countries.

Facts have shown that the development of China-Kenya relations serves the respective and common interests of both sides and helps improve the well-being of our two peoples. Further deepening China-Kenya friendly cooperation is timelyand promising. Looking ahead, China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Kenya on development philosophies and align our development strategies. We will continue to support each other on issues related to our respective core interests and major concerns, and work hand in hand on our respective paths towards modernization. We hope that zero tariffs, the upgraded "green channel" for Kenyan products exported to China, and other preferential policies will enable more high-quality Kenyan products to enter the Chinese market faster and in greater quantities. China stands ready to deepen cooperation with Kenya in infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, education, youth affairs, science and technology, and other fields, continuously elevating mutually beneficial cooperation to new heights. We are ready to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, firmly support each other, and better safeguard the legitimate rights of both countries and the common interests of the Global South.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

The vast community of overseas Chinese in Kenya is an important bridge and bond for promoting China-Kenya friendly cooperation. Over the years, you have devoted tremendous efforts and made irreplaceable contributions to the development of bilateral relations. On this occasion, on behalf of the Embassy, I extend my sincere greetings and best wishes for the National Day to all overseas Chinese in Kenya. Though you live far from home, our motherland will always be your strong support, and the Embassy is your home in Kenya. We will, as always, practise the vision of diplomacy for the people and remain committed to providing you with high-quality services around the clock.

May the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya enjoy enduring prosperity, and may the peoples of our two countries live in happiness!

May the China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era grow ever closer!

May all distinguished guests enjoy good health and success in your work!

Thank you.