NAIROBI, Feb. 10 -- Xiang Qing, a Chinese technician in Kenya, has a natural charm that makes it easy for him to connect with people from all walks of life.

The 52-year-old's boundless energy, wit and sense of humor defies his age while earning him celebrity status among peers.

In an interview with Xinhua, Xiang was in his element as he narrated a 20-year sojourn in Kenya where he found love, adventure, and contentment.

A native of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Xiang came to Kenya in 1995 when he decided to venture into the unknown.

"Kenya was my destination of choice when I joined China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) to work in road projects as a technician. I was stationed in coastal towns of Malindi, Voi, Garsen and Lamu where major road projects were being implemented," Xiang told Xinhua in Nairobi.

A fluent Swahili speaker, Xiang not only gets along well with Kenyans, but also has developed a strong affinity to the East Africa nation's culture.

The Kenyan coast was a marvel to Xiang who defied conventional wisdom to adapt quickly to a different cultural environment. His versatility and sharp wit endeared him to locals who later nicknamed him "Ndovu", a Swahili noun for elephant.

During his stay in the Kenyan coast, Xiang was impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the local communities.

As he traversed the picturesque Kenyan coast supervising roads projects, Xiang met his love whom he later took down the aisle for holy matrimony.

By marrying a local girl in 2002, Xiang not only accomplished a historical feat but put to rest entrenched stereotypes that harmed cordial relationship between Chinese and Kenyans.

"It was love at first sight when I met my future wife in Malindi town. Inter-racial marriages by then were rare but our chemistry was irresistible despite coming from different cultural environments," Xiang said, adding that he had made radical choices in order to live harmoniously with his Kenyan princess.

He not only adopted the religion of his Kenyan wife, Islam, but also developed an insatiable appetite for her native Swahili language, cuisine and customs.

"We married in the mosque, and since my conversion to Islam, I have always trooped to the house of worship for spiritual nourishment. Even when I am nowhere near a mosque, I make an effort to pray and meditate," said the father of two.

Having spent two decades in the country, Xiang is well versed with the width and breadth of the Kenyan hinterland, and has also developed an enduring appetitive for Kenyan dishes.

"I love Kenyan cuisine including ugali, chapati, pilau since they are tasty and rich in nutrients," he said in Swahili, citing he loves them for their authenticity and rich flavor.

Meanwhile, the technician's passion to be part of Kenya's transformation through infrastructure development has not waned. He has been involved in the construction of major road networks in Kenya for the last 20 years.

"Currently, we are implementing the Southern Bypass project in Nairobi. Through everyday work at the site, I have developed a cordial relationship with our Kenyan colleagues," said Xiang. "Our interaction with local communities during construction of new roads has been enriching."

While the roads Xiang's company have built were acclaimed as "professional" and "perfect" by local residents, Xiang revealed that the CRBC has also cemented relationship with locals through corporation social responsibility.

"We recently donated books, desks and food to schools within Nairobi's Kibera slums," Xiang said, adding that such people-to- people interactions have enriched Sino-Kenya cooperation.

Kenyan employees at the CRBC agreed that relationship between the two countries has been elevated to new heights.

Allan Agunda, a quantity surveyor at CRBC, said Chinese firms have evolved and are more accommodating to Kenyans' aspirations.

"My 18-year experience working for Chinese company has been transformative in many aspects. I have acquired new skills and earned sustainable income to support my family,"Agunda told Xinhua.

The 39-year-old father of three revealed that he intended to work for the Chinese company for the long haul.