NAIROBI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan expert on Thursday hailed China's role in promoting multilateralism and global trade.

Kwame Owino, CEO of Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA-Kenya), a public policy think tank based in Nairobi, told Xinhua in Nairobi that it is becoming very clear that China is taking over the mantle for a country that stands for open trade at a time when multilateralism and global cooperation seems to be in the retreat.

"So I applaud China for taking a step forward and taking confidence in global trade and the opening up," Owino said on the sidelines of a public forum on health sector financing roadmap to universal health coverage.

According to Owino, the upcoming second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be a significant event because it will provide an opportunity to take stock of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Owino observed that one of the outcomes of the forum should be an affirmation of the importance and essence of multilateralism.