China-Kenya ties headed for better times

By Liu Guangyuan

Kenya: At the invitation of Chinese president Xi Jinping President Uhuru Kenyatta is paying a state visit to China from August 18-23.

This visit, coming just at the 50th anniversaries of both the independence of Kenya and the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya, will be a “journey of friendship and co-operation”.

During the visit, the leaders of China and Kenya will renew the friendship, discuss co-operation and lay out the blueprints for the future development of our bilateral relations. The two sides will also sign a series of co-operative agreements, which will add more vitality to the mutually beneficial co-operation in various fields.

The Chinese government and people are eagerly awaiting President Kenyatta.

Looking back at history, we are so proud of the co-operation between China and Kenya. More than 600 years ago, Chinese navigator Zheng He visited Kenya four times during his seven voyages to the western oceans, with many historical prints and beautiful legends passed down. Zheng He’s story is known in China and Kenya.

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Fifty years ago, Kenya won its independence through great efforts and arduous struggles. China had offered firm support to Kenya in this regard and became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the country.

The world situation has gone through constant changes in the last half a century, but what has remained unchanged is the belief of both countries to pursue independence, peace, development and genuine friendship. China-Kenya friendship has become the treasure of both peoples.

China-Kenya co-operation in various fields has gained fruitful achievements. China-Kenya relationship has become a role model of China’s friendly co-operation with other developing countries.

Mutual trust

We enjoy political mutual trust with close friendly interactions in various fields. We support each other on major issues related to the other side’s core interests.

China does its best to provide assistance for Kenya’s economic development. China has been offering grants and loans to Kenya to construct roads, sports centres, hospitals, schools and so on. China also provided Kenya with food assistance for drought relief.

China-Kenya economic co-operation and trade is on a strong momentum. By June this year,

China’s cumulative direct investment in Kenya had reached $474 million. The bilateral trade volume reached $2.84 billion last year. China has become Kenya’s largest source of foreign direct investment and second largest trade partner.

Investment by the Chinese companies in Kenya covers several sectors such as vehicle and home appliance assembly, construction materials, etc. They have established partnerships with local companies, transferred advanced and practical technology to Kenya, and created job opportunities for the local people.

About 80 to 90 per cent of the employers hired by the Chinese companies in Kenya are locals. In addition, the Chinese companies are devoted to carrying out their social responsibilities. They make donations to schools, drill wells, repair roads, sponsor healthcare and sports sectors, and live in harmony with the Kenyan people.

Our co-operation in the fields of media, culture and education has been further boosted. Four major Chinese media houses have established their African headquarters in Nairobi, and three Confucius Institutes have settled in Kenya.

Poachers

Wildlife is Kenya’s natural resource and economic pillar. The Chinese people, together with the Kenyan people, regard wildlife as our shared friends and have a great abhorrence of poachers and smugglers.

Our respective dreams are tightly linked with each other. As long as we work hand in hand, China-Kenya friendship will become more magnificent than Mount Kenya, and the prospect of China-Kenya mutually beneficial co-operation will become broader than Maasai Mara.

Before President Kenyatta sets out for China, I wish him a completely successful visit. I believe that he will return home with the friendship of the Chinese people.

China-Kenya friendly relations and co-operation will definitely make a new leap forward and reach a higher level.

The writer is Chinese Ambassador to Kenya.