On 29th September, 2025, the opinion piece of H.E. Guo Haiyan , Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, China Enjoys Strong Growth Momentum and Bright Prospect was published on the Star. Below is the full text of the opinion piece:

The current international and regional situation is turbulent, with the hegemonic and bullying behaviour of certain countries disrupting the global trade order and the industrial and supply chains. The world economy is staggering forward amid multiple challenges. As the world's second-largest economy, China’s growth is not only crucial to the well-being of the Chinese people, but also bears significant impact on global development at the present and in the future.

This year marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. Over the past five years, a succession of new breakthroughs and changes have been achieved, defining the landscape of China’s growth at the moment.

First, China’s economy has a solid foundation. The annual value-added of China’s manufacturing industry has exceeded 4.2 trillion U.S.dollars, the highest in the world for 15 consecutive years. The output of more than 220 key industrial products has ranked the first place in the world. Adora Magic City, the domestically built large cruise ship, has embarked on her maiden voyage. C919, the domestically-developed large passenger aircraft, has commenced commercial flights. The Chang'e-6 lunar probe has brought the first samples from the Moon’s far side back to the Earth. The increase of China’s economy over the past five years has surpassed the size of the third-largest economy in the world.

Second, innovation is the new driving force. China's total expenditure on R&D in 2024 saw a 50% increase compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), and the increased spending amounts to 170 billion U.S. dollars. China hosts 26 among the top 100 global science and technology innovation clusters, ranking first globally. The number of Chinese high-tech enterprises has exceeded 460,000. Multiple global "firsts" have been created with breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, manned spaceflight, and deep-space exploration. China is making great strides in transforming herself from the global manufacturing hub into the global innovation center.

Third, the benefits of economic developments are delivered to the Chinese people at large. China has accomplished the daunting task of eliminating absolute poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule. The average life expectancy in China has reached 79 years, and the basic old-age insurance coverage has reached over 95% of the population. The popularization of education at all levels in China has caught up or overtaken the corresponding average levels in middle- and high-income countries.

Fourth, China’s economy features openness and inclusiveness. In 2024, China's total trade in goods reached 6.16 trillion U.S. dollars, maintaining her position as the world’s largest trading nation for the eighth consecutive years. The service trade of China surpassed 1 trillion U.S. dollars, ranking second globally. Faced with external challenges, China has made active efforts to diversify the export markets. ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for the past five consecutive years, and China’s trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries now accounts for over 50% of the total foreign trade.The industrial and supply chains of China are now more complete,agile and resilient, equipping China’s foreign trade to better respond to global challenges.

Fifth, China focuses on green and energy-efficient development.  China has contributed the largest share of world's newly added greenery, with its forest coverage rate rising to over 25%. Pollution control has yielded notable progress, with the proportion of days with good air quality consistently staying around 87%. Clean energy transition is speeding up, with  installed capacity of renewable energy power generation surpassing that of coal-fired power plants. China has built the world’s largest clean power generation system. The number of electronic vehicles(EVs) in use has reached 31.4 million. Blue skies, white clouds, lush mountains and clear waters have become a common daily sight.

Looking to the future, China’s growth prospects remain bright. The strong leadership of the Communist Party of China  ensures that the country stays the right course, and the strengths of China’s governance system in pooling resources for major undertakings guarantee the accomplishment of the national development goals. The mega market of China provides ample space and strong momentum for science and technology innovation as well as industrial upgrading. China is capable of safeguarding its development rights and interests and is ready to contribute to building a more just and equitable global governance system.

China and Kenya are strategic partners in building a community with a shared future for human race in the new era as well as companions on the path to modernization. China is deepening Belt and Road cooperation with Kenya and other African countries and implementing the zero-tariff treatment for African countries by negotiating and signing the partnership agreements for common development. By jointly advancing modernization, China and Africa will vigorously promote cooperation within the Global South, charter brighter prospects for the cause of world peace and development, and collectively contribute to building a community with a shared future for human race.