Diplomats, military leaders, and senior government officials convened at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The event served as both a celebration of history and a reaffirmation of the robust partnership between Kenya and China in defence, peacekeeping, and regional security cooperation.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan praised the PLA’s legacy of safeguarding national sovereignty and contributing to global peace, noting that this year marks 80 years since the triumph in both China’s resistance against Japanese aggression and the global fight against fascism during World War II.
Kenya Army Commander Lieutenant General David Keter hailed the PLA as one of the world’s oldest, largest and successful armed forces. He emphasized the tangible benefits the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have received through joint training programs, staff courses, exchange visits, and capacity-building partnerships with PLA institutions. “These exchanges have helped broaden our strategic outlook and enhance our operational capabilities,” he added.
Senior officials also highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the two militaries in areas such as peace support operations, disaster response, counter-terrorism, and cultural exchange efforts that have built mutual trust and enhanced Kenya’s readiness to address regional security challenges.
China’s defense attaché to Kenya, Senior Colonel Zhao Peng, emphasized that peace is hard-won and must be actively maintained, reflecting on the heavy toll of China’s 14-year war of resistance against Japanese aggression from 1931 to 1945, during which more than 35 million people were killed or injured.
He offered a reflective account of the PLA’s long history, tying its origins to China’s hardships and victories throughout the 20th century, particularly during World War II.
“Since 1990, the PLA has taken part in 25 UN peacekeeping missions, sending over 50,000 peacekeepers to more than 20 countries and regions,” he noted, adding that China is now the largest contributor to peacekeeping among the UN Security Council’s permanent members.
This ceremony reinforces the strengthening strategic ties between Kenya and China in defence diplomacy and security cooperation.
