The year 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya. The friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries continued to deepen.

China and Kenya had close high-level exchanges. In August, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta paid a state visit to China. He had talks with President Xi Jinping and meetings with Premier Li Keqiang and CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng respectively. The two sides announced the establishment of China-Kenya comprehensive cooperative partnership of equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win outcome. In June, Kenya's former Vice President Stephen Musyoka attended the Eighth Capital Forum of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Beijing. In April, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and NPC Vice Chairman Zhang Baowen attended the inauguration ceremony of President Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya. Zhang met with President Kenyatta and Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi respectively. In December, President Xi and President Kenyatta exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya. Foreign Ministers of both sides also exchanged congratulatory messages. In the same month, Special Envoy of President Xi and NPC Vice Chairman Wan Exiang attended the celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence. He met with President Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto respectively.

Various government agencies and local governments of the two countries had frequent exchanges. Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress Xiu Fujin, Deputy President of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions Zhang Mingqi, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhang Yaping, Vice President of Xinhua News Agency Lu Jianping, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Xiao Tian, Vice Governor of Shanxi Province Wang Yixin, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province Meng Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Hong Hao and Secretary of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee Wan Qingliang visited Kenya. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Mining Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie and Governor of Kakamega County Wycliffe Oparanya visited China.

Kenya's new Ambassador to China Michael Denis Mukiri Kinyanjui presented his credentials to President Xi Jinping in October.

Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in business, education, culture, press and other fields continued to deepen. New progress was made in their mutually beneficial cooperation in rail, environmental protection, new energy and other areas. The first agricultural Confucius Institute in the world was established in Kenya. "Feel China", "Chinese Family" and other cultural activities were held in Kenya. The African Edition of China Daily was formally launched in Kenya. The two sides signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports.

The two sides maintained consultation and coordination on international and regional affairs. China supports Kenya in its efforts to seek a proper settlement of the issue involving the trials against Kenyan leaders at the International Criminal Court (ICC). At the UN Security Council and the 12th session of the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as well as on other occasions, China called on all parties to give positive responses to relevant appeals of Kenya, the African Union and other African countries. In November, China voted in favor of the UN Security Council draft resolution on suspending trials against Kenyan leaders at the ICC.