Liu Guijin is a Chinese face familiar to many African TV viewers. The 67-year-old has been involved with the continent for more than 30 years as a Chinese diplomat. He's the first Special Representative of the Chinese Government for African Affairs.

Liu flies to Africa often. "I can't remember exactly how many times I've been to Africa since I retired from the post of Chinese Ambassador to South Africa and took the job as Special Representative for African Affairs in 2007," Liu told ChinAfrica. "Maybe more than 40 times."

Liu feels passionate about Africa, which he describes as a land full of vigor and hope, but also a continent hindered by catastrophes. But his ties with Africa were quite fortuitous and the continent has left a deep impression on him.

Never a dull moment

Born in east China's Shandong Province in 1945, Liu graduated from Shanghai International Studies University, before starting his diplomatic career in 1972. 

Liu first came to Africa in 1981 because of his wife, who then worked as an interpreter for the Chinese Ambassador in Kenya.  "I was excited when I first reached Nairobi," recalled Liu. But soon, he encountered a big challenge, an abortive coup d'etat.

On August 1, 1982, some soldiers from an air force base in Nanyuki attempted to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi's government. "At that time, coup d'etats took place frequently in Africa," said Liu.

Early that morning he was awakened by the crackling gunfire. "It was my first time to hear so many gunshots."

He turned on the radio to hear the announcement from soldiers who seized control of the Voice of Kenya radio station, asserting that Moi's government was overthrown. Yet Liu wanted to confirm it was true by himself. "I am not easily convinced [about something] unless I see it," said Liu.

He and one of his colleagues went out to see what happened from a car. They saw soldiers holding guns on the street and were eventually stopped by the rebels and forced to return.

"It was dangerous, but we were safe. That is my first experience of a coup," said Liu. The coup was defeated within 24 hours. "But it destroyed Nairobi. Many stores were broken and women raped."