Book sparks dialogue on development

Kenyan leaders and policymakers on Monday praised China's governance experience as a guiding reference for countries pursuing stability, digital transformation and inclusive growth.

Speaking at a readers' forum in Nairobi, they underscored the growing intellectual and development cooperation between China and Kenya, saying China's governance model offers practical lessons for modernization across the Global South.

The book, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China — now in five volumes — has been translated into 44 languages and distributed in more than 180 countries and regions, receiving wide recognition and creating new opportunities for intellectual exchange.

The latest volume, published earlier this year, compiles 91 speeches and written works by President Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, along with 41 photographs documenting the period from May 27, 2022, to Dec 20, 2024.

Speaking at the forum, William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya's cabinet secretary for information, communications and the digital economy, said China's development experience highlighted in the book offered valuable lessons for countries seeking to build inclusive, innovation-driven economies.

"As readers engage with (the book), they encounter ideas that speak not only about China's progress but on how nations, including Kenya, can shape their futures through innovation and partnership," Gitau said.

China's governance philosophy, anchored in learning, innovation and people-centered development, continues to inspire global audiences, he said. "Civilization becomes richer through shared experiences. China's use of learning and innovation to shape the global economy offers insights for all of us."

Mo Gaoyi, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said the fifth volume offers a comprehensive understanding of China's modernization journey.

It "systematically presents the historic achievements, development path and fundamental characteristics of the Chinese path to modernization", Mo said, adding that it embodies a global vision and provides "replicable Chinese wisdom and solutions for shared prosperity in the Global South".

"I understand that friends from many countries, including Kenya, hope to gain insights into the CPC and China's path to modernization through the book," he said. "I hope it can help the Kenyan people to better understand China."

Gitau highlighted Kenya's ongoing efforts to build a "digital superhighway", saying that technology has become central to service delivery, economic integration and youth empowerment.

"We are preparing our young people for opportunities in a digital economy," he said. "Our partnership with China continues to expand across multiple sectors, creating new avenues for cooperation in education, innovation and public service."

He also emphasized the role of academic exchanges in fostering mutual understanding. "This cooperation allows our young people to appreciate each other's richness," he said.

Hassan Omar Hassan, secretary-general of Kenya's ruling United Democratic Alliance, described the forum as a milestone in Kenya's intellectual and political engagement with China.

The governance principles highlighted in Xi's works, from poverty eradication and ecological civilization to innovation, align with Kenya's Vision 2030, Omar said.

The UDA-CPC partnership, reinforced through governance training programs and high-level exchanges, has supported Kenya's efforts to strengthen party discipline, institutional capacity and people-centered governance, he said.

Omar praised China's model for its strategic planning, disciplined political leadership, innovation-driven development and its commitment to building a shared future for humanity.