China, Kenya relations on firmer footing

By Li Guangyuan

The last 63 years of China’s 5,000-year history is a very small chapter. However, these 63 years have opened a new era of unprecedented rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and especially the beginning of the Reform and Opening-up over 30 years ago, China has made great strides in nation building.

Today China enjoys economic growth, political stability, cultural prosperity, ethnical harmony, and social progress. Over the last six decades, China has made continuous progress in building a well-off society in an all-round way, focused its efforts on improving the living standards for her people.

Today, China is the second largest economy in the world.

In recent years, China has been an important catalyst in world economy, accounting for over 20 per cent of the contribution to global economic advancement. Be that as it may, China is still a developing country and is faced by a number of challenges on the domestic front. 

In the era of globalisation and interdependence, the development and prosperity of the rest of the world needs China’s contribution as China also needs the rest of the world. Peace, co-operation and development represent the main theme of the times.

On China’s part, therefore, sticking to the road of peaceful development, and building a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity is priority Number One.

Since we entered the 21st century, the co-operation between China and Africa has become increasingly dynamic. We have been pursuing mutual benefit, win-win co-operation and common development.

China’s Foreign Direct Investment to Africa has reached over $15 billion. China has assisted Africa to accelerate economic growth, lift her peoples’ living standards, create job opportunities, and increase the government revenues.

China is Africa’s biggest trade partner. The Sino-Africa bilateral trade volume reached $166.3 billion in 2011. China-Africa trade injects fresh vitality to Africa’s economy, and contributes 20 per cent to the economic growth of the continent. 

Peace and stability

The government of China attaches tremendous importance to China-Kenya relations. Since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between our two countries 49 years ago, China-Kenya friendship enjoyed perpetual renewal. China-Kenya bilateral co-operation has led to a fast, comprehensive and profound development in this country.

Since my posting here two years ago, I have been impressed by the Kenya Government’s push for social and economic development.

Besides, it is gratifying to note how Kenyans are anxious for peace and stability.

That Kenya is no doubt keen on strengthening co-operation with China is a very important gesture. In reciprocation to the goodwill of the Kenyans, I noticed with satisfaction that more and more Chinese tourists want to visit Kenya, and more and more Chinese entrepreneurs have expressed an interest to invest in Kenya. We can safely say that the basis of the friendship between our two countries has been more solid.

First, the frequent exchanges of high level visits between China and Kenya have been guiding the development of bilateral relations.

In May, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka attended the first China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services. In July, Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC.

Second, China-Kenya trade volume increased at an annual growth rate of over 30 per cent in recent years. The Chinese companies lawfully operated and actively carried out corporate social responsibility. They have contributed their wisdom and sweat to the economic and social development of Kenya.

Here, I want to give you one figure. Ninety per cent of the employees with the Chinese companies in Kenya are Kenyans.

Under the FOCAC framework, China and Kenya have conducted practical co-operation in many important areas, including infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, health and technology, which have effectively supported Kenya towards achieving Vision 2030.

China’s financial institutions also expanded their business in Kenya.

The trade in services such as tourism has become a new growth area for the bilateral economic co-operation.

Third, the people-to-people and cultural exchanges are booming.

China and Kenya have made remarkable co-operation in various areas, including education, culture, media, youth, et cetera.

Thanks to Hon Musyoka, Egerton University will set up a Confucius Institute. It will be the third Confucius Institute in Kenya and the first Confucius Institute specialised in agriculture in the world. And 64 Kenya students received the Chinese Government scholarship this year, which doubled last year’s number.

Confucius Institute

In June, a delegation of Kenyan young people attended the Second China-Africa Youth Leader Forum in Beijing. China-Kenya friendship is now been carried forward to the younger generation in our two countries.

We sincerely rejoice over the great development of the bilateral relations between China and Kenya. We cherish the hard-won situation for the friendly relations and co-operation of our two countries. We can’t allow anyone to undermine the profound friendship between our two peoples.

On the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and common development, China is ready to work with Kenya to push forward the friendly relations and co-operation to a new high level.

This is an abridged version of the speech by H.E. Liu Guangyuan at the Reception to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on September 27, 2012.

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