NAIROBI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Kenya on Thursday donated Christmas gifts to a state-run home for orphaned and abandoned children located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, bringing early festive cheer to the children and their caregivers.

Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, cabinet secretary for Kenya's Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, hailed the generosity of the Chinese community for supporting vulnerable children at the Nairobi Children's Rescue Center.

"Today is a great day for our orphaned and neglected children as they receive Christmas donations from our partners from China. I take this opportunity to thank the Chinese community for this kind gesture," Cheptumo said.

She said that Kenya-China relations have expanded beyond infrastructure, trade and industry to include education, health, skills transfer and people-to-people exchanges.

"We therefore call for the continued strengthening of Kenya-China collaboration in child welfare and community development initiatives so that together we may build not only strong nations, but also resilient lives and lasting dreams for our children," she added.

Miao Miao, counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said the donation reflected China's long-standing tradition of kindness, regardless of blood ties.

According to Miao, both Kenyan and Chinese communities are bound together by the pursuit of common destiny and aspirations, with children playing an integral part in this endeavor.

Bao Ping, the chairlady of the Kenya-Chinese Women Association, said the donations, which included food items, panda toys, detergents and blankets, were meant to demonstrate love and care to vulnerable children.

"We will continue to work together with our friends from both countries to support children, families, and communities, and to strengthen the friendship between Kenya and China," Bao added. ■