Kenya, China reaffirm deepening military ties during PLA’s 98th anniversary celebration

Kenya and China have reaffirmed their growing military cooperation as senior officials from both nations marked the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China in Nairobi.

The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, brought together military commanders, diplomats, and government officials who emphasized the strength of bilateral ties, particularly in defense and peacebuilding efforts.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan highlighted China’s historic path to peace and modern military strength, crediting the PLA’s transformation over nearly a century to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the resilience of the Chinese people.

“This is a victory of the unrelenting struggle of the Chinese people, and a victory of the heroic efforts of the People’s Army,” said Guo.

She reaffirmed China’s commitment to global peace, recalling the sacrifices of World War II and China’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping, where it remains the largest contributor among permanent members of the Security Council.

Since 1990, the PLA has taken part in 25 UN peacekeeping missions, deploying over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries. China has also sent 47 naval escort fleets to the Gulf of Aden, providing security for over 1,600 commercial vessels.

Guo emphasized that the 80th anniversary of the victory in the anti-fascist war and Japan’s defeat during World War II should be a global reminder to safeguard peace and defend multilateralism, international law, and the authority of the United Nations.

On Kenya-China military cooperation, she referenced President William Ruto’s state visit to China in April, which yielded commitments to deepen collaboration in personnel training, counterterrorism, and joint exercises.

“We will deepen China-Africa peace and security cooperation and actively fulfill our responsibilities as a major military power,” Guo affirmed.

Kenya Army Commander Lieutenant General David Keter, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, commended the PLA’s professionalism and lauded the training and capacity-building opportunities provided to Kenyan troops.

“Our officers and troops have had the privilege of participating in diverse training programs hosted by the PLA. These experiences have broadened our strategic outlook and strengthened our operational capacity,” Terer said.

He further cited cultural exchanges, disaster response cooperation, and joint peacekeeping efforts as examples of the growing synergy between the two militaries.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the enduring friendship that binds the Kenya Defence Forces and the People’s Liberation Army,” he added.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining mutual respect, trust, and continued collaboration as global and regional security challenges evolve.

The evening concluded with a ceremonial toast to the PLA’s legacy, the deepening China-Kenya friendship, and shared aspirations for a peaceful world.