Kenya lauds Xinhua for impressive news coverage

Kenya has praised Xinhua's role, the state news agency of China, in news reporting that has over the years created a readily recognizable brand, character, culture and legacy. Kenya's Vice-President Kalaonzo Musyoka said in Nairobi late Friday during the event to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of Xinhua News Agency that Xinhua's foundation on a great vision has seen it become one of the leading news agencies in the world. "I am sure the work ethic that Xinhua has propelled itself on over the decades to become one of the most visible news agencies the world over must be based on nothing but excellence," said the vice-president. "You may realize that the story of Xinhua, like that of an eminent person attests to foundation of great vision and diligence. No one became great on account of flippancy of poor work ethics." The vice-president commended Xinhua's founders and the work force it has engaged over the years that he said deserve recognition for upholding a tradition that can only grow stronger. "Looking at the achievements recorded over the 80 years Xinhua has been in existence which include the establishment of seven bureaus across the globe, I note with pride that the African Bureau alone runs more than 20 branches in sub-Saharan African countries. This by no means is a very comprehensive network in Africa." Musyoka said Xinhua's ingenuity has been witnessed in Kenya and worldwide where the news agency broadcasts mobile 24-hour news alerts in eight world languages, thereby making Xinhua one of the most versatile media organizations across the world. General Director of Xinhua's Africa Regional Bureau Wang Chaowen said since its inception in 1931, the agency has developed from small to big from weak to strong over the past 80 years and is now marching onto the world media stage. "Over the past eight decades, Xinhua has been making faithful records of the Chinese people's struggle for national independence and freedom, and for a stronger country since the beginning of China's Reform and Opening Up in 1976," said the general director. He said since its birth in 1986, Xinhua's Africa Regional Bureau has been committed to bridging the gap between the Chinese and African peoples by introducing a real China to Africa and to introducing Africa's development and growth to China and the whole world. "Our correspondents have been travelling throughout the continent, witnessing the development and vicissitudes of Africa and conveying the friendship of the Chinese people. Xinhua will in future continue reporting Africa in an unbiased manner and making new efforts in pushing forward the Sino-African relations." Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan also congratulated the staff of Xinhua for upholding professional ethics in their duty of disseminating news to the world. On arrival, the Kenyan vice-president was firstly taken around a Xinhua photo gallery depicting the news agency's activities across the globe. Gor Semelang'o, the editor of Truth Weekly, a Kenyan publication which has partnership with Xinhua, said the agency's news coverage across the globe is in-depth and incisive. "Since we signed a contract with Xinhua over a month ago, we have been running between five and 10 stories per week from Xinhua because the articles are well-researched and penetrating," said the editor. "Xinhua, as one of the oldest and most established news agencies in the world, should support other struggling news organizations so that they can attain some level of competence," observed Semelang'o. Patrick Mutiso from Radio Umoja FM based in Nairobi said Xinhua' s news coverage and dissemination is commendable, hoping for the further expansion of its presence across the continent in the future.