Nairobi — Kenyans were entertained on two-day performances by Chinese artistes as part of events lined up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of China-Kenya Diplomatic Relations.
The performances by Zhejiang Wu Opera were held on Tuesday and Wednesday night at the Braeburn Theatre in Nairobi, attended by hundreds.
They were performed by artistes from China's Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre who staged acrobatics and other performances to entertain participants.
The performances included musical compositions and Chinese dramas among other entertainment.
"They have made my night. I didn't know it would be so much fun like this. Chinese artistes know their game," a participant Kelvin Onsoti said of the event that was jointly organised and sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism-according to officials.
Kenya and China established diplomatic relations 60 years ago in what has grown stronger over the years leading to even more cultural exchanges.
"I am happy to be here for the second day after attending yesterday's event, I am even asking them when and where the next event will be because it is so interesting," said Susan Okello, who was there with her two teenage daughters. "We have really enjoyed the shows."
Trudy Makena, a student at the University of Nairobi said it was her first time to witness first hand the Chinese perform China's local opera "and I like it, these guy's got talent and we have a lot to learn from them."
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In total, the group performed well-organised and choreographed acrobatic moves.
According to Wang Xiaoping who is the director of the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Center, the plays are part of a culture exchange that serves to deepen relations between the people of Kenya and China.
Mr Zhang Zhizhong, the Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi said China and Kenya had enjoyed close ties and will continue to do, emphasising the importance of such cultural performances.
"China and Kenya are marking 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and that is a major milestone that is why these performances are very important for cultural exchanges," he said, 'The Chinese opera performances will foster a deeper understanding of culture for better understanding."
Besides cultural exchanges, China has heavily supported Kenya in infrastructural development including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the Nairobi Expressway, and the Thika Superhighway.
These projects have propelled Kenya's capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa to new heights of development and modernity.
Other Chinese projects in Nairobi include the iconic Global Trade Centre (GTC) skyscraper that has defined the skyline in Kenya's capital.
"China cherishes our true friendship with Kenya and the people of Kenya and together we are going to achieve more for a brighter future," he said.
