Kenya to Participate in Beijing Expo 2019 Splendid East African Culture To be Highlighted

11-26/2018

On November 15, Zhou Jianping, Executive Director General of Beijing Expo 2019’s Coordination Bureau, met with Peter Biwott, Commissioner General of the Kenya Section of Beijing Expo 2019 and CEO of the Kenya Export Promotion Council, in Yanqing where Beijing Expo 2019 will be held and signed a series of related contracts on Kenya’s participation in the Expo. In addition, they visited the site of Beijing Expo 2019. Dr. Chris K. Kiptoo, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives; Mikash Kongma, Assistant Secretary of the Kenyan State Department for Trade; Jared Maika, Chief Trade Officer of the Kenyan State Department for Trade; Edward Limo, official with the Kenyan embassy in China; Vincent Ou Junma, Commercial Counselor of the Kenyan embassy in China; Jane Shimaty, Secretary of the Kenyan embassy in China; and Wang Chuncheng, Deputy Director General of the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau, attended the signing ceremony.

Signing ceremony

A New African Image of Solidarity, Unity and Progress To Be Displayed at Beijing Expo 2019

In order to fully exhibit a new African image of solidarity, unity and progress, African countries will participate in Beijing Expo 2019 in the form of a joint exhibition garden. The garden will be divided into four parts according to geographic location: East Africa Joint Exhibition Garden, West Africa Joint Exhibition Garden, Central Africa Joint Exhibition Garden and South Africa Joint Exhibition Garden. As an important part of the East Africa Joint Exhibition Garden, the Republic of Kenya’s exhibition will feature unique plants, colorful monthly-themed exhibitions and interactive/participatory cultural activities. The East Africa Joint Exhibition Garden will integrate local characteristics into its miniature landscapes, transform the way of traveling from walking by to an immersive experience, and change simplicity and generality into local complexity, with its interesting storylines linking traditions and customs with the natural scenery and cultural elements of East Africa, along with facilities for children's activities, reflecting a design concept of combining exhibition, tourism and experience.

The two sides discuss participation in Beijing Expo 2019

Beijing Expo 2019 Is an International Platform for Exchange, Trade and Cooperation among Countries

During the meeting, Zhou Jianping, Executive Director General of Beijing Expo 2019’s Coordination Bureau, welcomed the Kenyan delegation and thanked them for visiting the site of Beijing Expo 2019. He also pointed out, “Kenya has maintained good diplomatic relations with China for a long time. Kenya is an influential country in Africa, with rich natural and tourism resources. We attach great importance to Kenya's participation in Beijing Expo 2019. The Expo will provide an international platform for various countries to exhibit new achievements and technologies in horticulture, tourism and related industries. It will also provide a fine opportunity for promoting good exchanges, trade activities and further cooperation among countries. As an old Chinese saying goes, ‘seeing is believing.’ I hope that Kenya will be able to show its national strength as a significant country producing flowers, tea and coffee at Beijing Expo 2019, and bring its unique local plants and colorful cultural activities to the Expo so as to let more Chinese and international friends know more about Kenya and Africa. As the organizers, Beijing Expo 2019’s Coordination Bureau will also do its best to provide support for Kenya’s participation in the expo.”

Zhou Jianping, Executive Director General of Beijing Expo 2019’s Coordination Bureau, expresses his hopes for the Kenyan exhibition garden

Kenya Is Ready to Participate in Beijing Expo 2019

Dr. Chris K. Kiptoo, Principal Secretary of Kenyan Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, thanked Beijing Expo 2019’s Coordination Bureau for its strong support and assistance. He also said, “China and Kenya have maintained good diplomatic relations and trade exchanges for a long time. Today, we can see China's strong national strength and feel China's increasing support for Kenya. This year, Kenya’s president visited China twice. At the bilateral meeting during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, the two sides also conducted discussions on further utilizing the Chinese market and enhancing the cooperation between the two countries. Regarding Beijing Expo 2019, we are fully prepared and hope that more people will learn to like Kenya and more enterprises and countries will pay attention to Kenya through its exhibition of horticulture array of flowers, teas and coffees, along with Kenya’s unique cultural interactions.”

Dr. Chris K. Kiptoo, Principal Secretary of Kenyan Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, said Kenya is ready to participate in Beijing Expo 2019

Unique Plants, Fruits, Monthly-Themed Exhibitions To Showcase Kenya’s Rich and Colorful Culture

Peter Biwott, Commissioner General of Kenyan Section of Beijing Expo 2019 and CEO of Kenyan Export Promotion Council, said, “Kenya's participation in Beijing Expo 2019 is a good opportunity to enhance trade between the two countries. The Kenyan Government attaches great importance to its participation in Beijing Expo 2019. After the Meeting of International Participants of Beijing Expo 2019 in June, the Kenyan Government accelerated its domestic approval process efforts and will complete the relevant procedures in the near future. In particular, we would like to thank the organizers of Beijing Expo 2019 for their strong support and assistance. We also hope that we can continue to receive guidance from the organizers on building the East Africa Exhibition Garden. We will make full use of Kenya's most distinctive plants and fruits in the exhibition and hold various monthly-themed exhibitions during the Expo. At the same time, we will vigorously promote East African horticulture and related industries and make our due contribution to Beijing Expo 2019 and the international horticulture industry.

Peter Biwott, Commissioner General of Kenyan Section, expresses his confidence in Kenya’s participation in the Expo

The East Africa Joint Exhibition Garden is called UMOJA Garden-Tour around East Africa. The exhibition will showcase the natural features of East Africa by using its rich, colorful flora and fauna as the green background and interesting buildings and facilities for visitors to explore East African culture, combined with an experience space that will help visitors experience the spirit of East Africa, creating a premium exhibition garden with the comprehensive display of traditional features and spiritual characteristics of East Africa.