Kenyans who studied in China take part in an event supporting China's fight against the novel coronavirus in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Feb. 23, 2020. The Kenya-China Alumni Association, which comprises of Kenyans who studied in China, on Sunday showed solidarity when China is combating the novel coronavirus outbreak. Members of the alumni were optimistic that the Chinese government's efforts to contain the spread of the virus will soon bear fruit. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
NAIROBI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya-China Alumni Association, which comprises of Kenyans who studied in China, on Sunday showed solidarity when China is combating the new coronavirus outbreak.
Members of the alumni were optimistic that the Chinese government's efforts to contain the spread of the virus will soon bear fruit.
"We would like to express our support to the people of China during this difficult period because China has been a true friend and has always supported us," Nathan Kimani, secretary of the Kenya-China Alumni Association said.
The Kenya-China Alumni Association members also donated 63,300 Kenyan Shilling (about 633 U.S. dollars) to be used towards combating the virus.
Wang Xuezheng, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that the outbreak of COVID-19 has been a huge challenge.
"However the Chinese government and the Chinese people have withstood the test and won the respect and recognition of the international community with their efforts and even sacrifice," Wang said.
He said that after the outbreak, the Chinese government immediately set up a nationwide mechanism to mobilize resources across the country.
"It has taken the most comprehensive, stringent and thorough prevention and control measures, many of which are well beyond what is required by the international health regulations and the recommendation of the World Health Organization," said Wang.
Wang said that as China battles the disease, the friendship and trust with other countries will be strengthened and deepened. At this difficult time, Kenya and African friends have given China strong support.
Isaac Mbeche, local director of Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, said that Kenya has developed strong education links with China and is a formidable partner.
He hailed China's efforts to control the spread of the virus.
"Kenya can learn a lot from Chinese measures that have been put in place to defeat the coronavirus," said Mbeche.
Henry Kibet, chairman of the Kenya-China Alumni Association, said that the best that Kenya can do is to encourage and give moral support and confidence to the Chinese people as well as the Kenyan students currently in China.
"My plea to the whole world is to stand with China as it enters a new phase where more and more patients are recovering from the coronavirus," Kibet said.
