President William Ruto has conveyed Kenya’s best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the people of China as they mark the Chinese New Year.
This year, China will be marking the Year of the Snake, which falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Ruto extended the greetings on behalf of the Kenyan government and its citizens.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I extend my sincere best wishes to His Excellency President Xi Jinping, the Government and the people of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake,” Ruto said.
The president expressed hope for China’s continued prosperity, acknowledging the nation’s commitment to global welfare.
“May the New Year redound with abundance borne of your country’s commitment to the wellbeing of others,” he added.
Strong diplomatic ties
This message comes amid strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and China, with the Asian nation being one of Kenya’s largest development partners.
On January 19, 2025, Kenya hosted the Nairobi Chinese New Year Gala, an event that brought together dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the Chinese-Kenyan community.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, expressed her gratitude to Kenya for hosting the event and honouring this cultural tradition via her X account.
“I had a great time, together with Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the State Department for Culture, the Arts & Heritage Ummi Bashir, attending #NairobiChineseNewYearGala after the Spring Festival was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Thanks to the wonderful performers from the He Nan Province of China! Shaolin Kung Fu, acrobatics, etc. are so fantastic! Happy Spring Festival, my friends!” Ambassador Guo wrote.
What is the Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, marks the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunar calendar.
It is China’s most significant and widely celebrated festival, with celebrations lasting up to 15 days.
The Year of the Snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac’s 12-year cycle. In Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes wisdom, charm, and good fortune.
The festival’s origins date back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), when people offered sacrifices to gods and ancestors at the end of each year to pray for a plentiful harvest.
Traditional celebrations include family reunions, elaborate feasts, and various customs designed to bring good luck for the coming year.
Red envelopes (hongbao) containing money are given to children and unmarried adults, while homes are decorated with red lanterns and spring couplets.
The festivities begin on New Year’s Eve with the “reunion dinner” (nian ye fan), considered the most important meal of the year.
Families traditionally eat dumplings, fish, and other symbolic foods believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
Each day of the 15-day celebration has its own significance and traditions.
The festival concludes with the Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), where people release lanterns into the sky and eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan.
The celebrations are typically marked by dragon dances, fireworks displays, and cultural performances.
