President Uhuru greets Chinese President
President Uhuru Kenyatta joined the people of China in celebrating the Chinese New Year by sending an exclusive message on Sunday, before the Lunar New Year which officially checked in on February 5, 2019, the Head of State pointed out the partnership between the two countries.
“The friendship and partnership between Kenya and China is very old, in recent years, we have drawn even closer together, with tight cooperation now across a whole range of areas, from industry to infrastructure.
“That co-operation has changed the lives of ordinary people in both countries, here in Kenya, we see it most clearly in the Standard Gauge Railway, the region’s most ambitious infrastructure project,” he stated.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is welcomed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Behind the two is first ladies, Margaret Kenyatta and Peng Liyuan of Kenya and China respecctively.
He added that the current projects were a symbol of what could be achieved when the two nations collaborate.
“Much has been done, much remains to be done. I look forward, as do the people of Kenya, to working with China, a true partner and friend, in the year to come. Happy New Year!” he noted.
In China, the festivities are known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year and lasts for a fortnight.
Locals celebrate with firecrackers which are set off to scare away the dragon-lion monster Nian, who, according to legends, would attack villagers and sometimes eat children.
Chinese celebrate as they welcome the lunar year.
This year is the Year of the Pig. A pig represents luck, overall good fortune, wealth, honesty, and prosperity at large, symbolizing a hard working, a peace-loving person, a truthful, generous, indulgent, patient, reliable, trusting, sincere, giving, sociable person with a large sense of humor and understanding.
According to traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, one must wear a red color material during the festivities as it symbolizes prosperity and happiness.