Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan has commended Kenya for upholding the One-China principle, citing a 2025 joint statement in which Nairobi expressed support for China’s efforts towards national reunification.

Guo made the remarks on Friday during the opening of a photo exhibition marking the 81st anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China at China Square, Waterfront Mall, along Karen Road in Nairobi.

“China highly appreciates the position of Kenya and believes that Kenya will continue to abide by the One-China principle and firmly support China’s position on issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Guo said.

The Ambassador pointed to a joint statement issued during the Kenyan President’s state visit to China in 2025, in which Kenya declared that it “resolutely opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification”.

The exhibition, themed Remembering Taiwan’s Restoration, Advancing National Reunification, commemorated October 25, 1945, when a ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in Taiwan was held in Taipei following the Chinese people’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Guo said the exhibition honoured the sacrifices made by the Chinese people in resisting foreign aggression and safeguarding national unity. She referred to the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and Japan’s Instrument of Surrender as historical and legal instruments underpinning China’s position on Taiwan.

“The motherland must be reunified, and will surely be reunified,” she said, reaffirming China’s commitment to national reunification.

Guo criticised Taiwan independence advocates for what she described as attempts to deny the history of Taiwan’s restoration and challenge the One-China principle. She said China remained committed to deepening exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait while pursuing reunification.

Former African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha said the anniversary resonated with African countries because of their shared experiences of colonialism and struggles for independence, sovereignty and national dignity.

“Our relationship was not born out of mere commercial interests or diplomatic convenience; it was forged on the principle of the common struggle against colonialism and foreign domination,” Mwencha said.

He recalled China’s support for African liberation movements and described the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway as a symbol of solidarity between China and African countries.

“China stood shoulder to shoulder with African liberation movements, offering vital political, diplomatic and material support,” he said.

Mwencha recalled the 1971 United Nations General Assembly vote on Resolution 2758, noting that 26 African countries voted in support of the resolution concerning China’s representation at the United Nations.

He urged Africa and China to build on their historical ties through stronger trade, investment and industrial cooperation, aligning their partnership with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau Director General Ying Qiang said the exhibition was being held in five African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria and Mozambique.

He noted that the ports of Mombasa and Durban had served as important Allied maritime transport and supply hubs during World War II, illustrating the historical connections between African and Chinese experiences.

Ying said 2026 marked the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, providing an opportunity to deepen cooperation in education, culture, tourism, publishing, sports and media.

“Only by knowing each other’s history can we better understand each other’s present; only by respecting each other’s memory can we better move toward a shared future,” Ying said.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would strengthen mutual understanding and serve as a bridge for closer people-to-people relations between China and Africa.

The event was attended by Qin Minxue, President of the East Africa Association for the Promotion of China’s Peaceful Reunification, and Zhao Jian, Vice President of the Kenya Association for the Promotion of China’s Peaceful Reunification.

by Sharon Njeru and Samuel Njoroge