Bilateral Political Relations

China established diplomatic relations with Kenya on December 14, 1963. Since then, China-Kenya relations have developed steadily and healthily. In May 2017, China and Kenya established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

In recent years, the relations between the two countries have developed rapidly, with frequent high-level exchanges. Kenyan President William Ruto visited China in October 2023 to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and in September 2024 to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where he met with President Xi Jinping. In November 2024, Li Xi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, visited Kenya.

Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations and Economic-Technical Cooperation

Kenya is an important economic and trade partner of China in Africa and a leading country in China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has assisted Kenya in building major projects such as the Kikuyu Hospital, Moi International Sports Center, Gamburu-Salem Road, and Corn Flour Processing Plant. Kenya is China's largest trading partner in East Africa. China is Kenya's largest trading partner and the largest source of imports. In 2023, the total trade volume between China and Kenya was 8.106 billion US dollars, among which, China's imports from Kenya were 227 million US dollars and exports to Kenya were 7.88 billion US dollars. China mainly exports textiles and clothing, steel products, power and communication equipment, and construction machinery to Kenya, while Kenya mainly imports titanium, zirconium, manganese ore sands, nuts, coffee, and tea from China.

Exchanges and Cooperation in Culture, Education, Health and Other Fields  

China and Kenya signed a cultural cooperation agreement in September 1980. The two countries signed a protocol on higher education cooperation in 1994. In 2005, China established the first Confucius Institute in Africa at the University of Nairobi. In 2008, the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University was established. In 2012, the Confucius Institute at Egerton University and the Confucius Classroom at Nairobi Broadcasting Station were established. In March 2015, the Confucius Institute at Moi University was established.

In December 2003, Kenya was listed as a destination for Chinese citizens' self-funded tourism. In 2005, Kenya Airways launched a direct flight from Nairobi to Guangzhou. China Southern Airlines launched direct flights from Guangzhou to Nairobi in 2015 and from Changsha to Nairobi in 2019.

The African headquarters of Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, and China Radio International are all located in Nairobi. The first overseas city FM radio station of China Radio International was launched in Nairobi in February 2006, and the Mombasa FM station was launched in January 2011. The Africa Branch of China Central Television was established and launched in Nairobi in January 2012. In December 2012, China Daily Africa Edition was launched in Nairobi.