Li Wufeng (middle), Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of China, and Kenyan officials pose with performers at the opening ceremony of "Experience China in Kenya" at the Kenya International Conference Center in Nairobi on September 21 (DING ZHITAO)

To mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya and the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence, the "Experience China in Kenya" event opened its doors for the first time in Kenya at the Kenya International Conference Center in Nairobi on September 21.

"Currently, Chinese people are committed to realizing the Chinese dream of rejuvenating the Chinese nation, while the Kenyan government and people are marching along the road of Kenya Vision 2030. The Chinese dream, the beautiful vision of the Kenyan people, as well as the African dream all have similar roots, and are the same in their nature and are similarly dependent on one another," said Li Wufeng, Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of China, at the opening ceremony. "They are all oriented toward peace, development, self-improvement and the rejuvenation of their respective nations. By treating each other equally, helping each other and engaging in joint efforts, China and Kenya will both be able to realize their dreams together."

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was represented by Hassan Wario Arero, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts of the Republic of Kenya, at the event's opening. Hassan Wairo Arero said that Kenya attaches great importance to relations with China, and China's development over the past three decades provides guidance for Kenya's future.

Various bodies from both nations are involved with the planning and co-ordination for the event. The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya are providing China's contributions to the event, while four of Kenya's State Ministries – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts; the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology; and the Ministry of Education – were involved in providing Kenya's contributions towards "Experience China in Kenya."

The event is being held after Kenyan President Kenyatta's state visit to China last month at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two heads of state exchanged views on the friendship between China and Kenya and future cooperation. During President Kenyatta's visit they decided to establish the China-Kenya comprehensive cooperative partnership, which is based on a foundation of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

The "Experience China in Kenya" event features a wide range of activities, such as the opening of the "China Pavilion", a film and TV series exhibition, the signing of agreements on supplying TV programs and a media forum. It presents modern Chinese social life, economic development as well as culture and folk customs from various perspectives, so as to enhance the mutual understanding between the peoples of the two nations and to build a bridge of friendship and communication.

The China National Acrobatic Troupe also staged a show featuring rich traditional Chinese performances of magic, singing and dancing as well as the acrobatic displays they are best known for.

"It gave me such a sensation of awe," Jones Wafula Lukorito from Kenyatta University told Beijing Review and ChinAfrica. He said he had seen similar performances on TV before, but it was the first time that he had seen it preformed live on stage. The engineer major added that he is very interested in Chinese culture and hopes someday he can go to China to experience it first hand.

(Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya)