Kenya and China celebrated the 40th anniversary of the
establishment of their diplomatic relations?in
Nairobi?Wednesday with both sides calling for stronger
friendly ties.?
"Chinese financial, technical and other assistance continues to
play a crucial role in our development," Kenyan Foreign Minister
Kalonzo Musyoka said, adding that "China has merged as one of
Kenya's leading development partners with Chinese assistance
covering a wide-range of areas."
Kenya and China established diplomatic relations on Dec. 14,
1963, with China opening an embassy in Nairobi, becoming the fourth
country to do so.
"We shall continue to promote a more dynamic cooperation in such
areas as capacity building, information technology, energy, water
resources, telecommunications, culture and other areas of human
endeavor," the minister told the guests attending the reception in
honor of the 40-year diplomatic ties.
Although the exports from Kenya to China have not kept pace with
the imports from China, Kalonzo said, he is still willing to
promote trade on both sides.
According to the Chinese statistics, Sino-Kenyan trade volume
reached US$186 million, a robust increase of 29 percent from that
of 2001.
The Kenyan foreign minister also vowed to continue to provide
all the support possible to facilitate more Chinese investment.
According to Kenyan investment promotion center, Chinese
investment project in Kenya currently number about 96 with a
workforce of about 6,700 Kenyans and an investment capital of over4
billion Kenyan shillings (US$52.6 million).
Guo Chongli, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, said on the same
occasion that "the peaceful power transition after election and
many positive policies of Kenya are strengthening the confidence of
various investors."
"More and more Chinese investors are coming in the near future,"
the ambassador confirmed.
"We are now faced with the same challenge of dealing with
problems related to rural development, unemployment and poverty,"
he said, stressing that the establishment of stronger friendly ties
and closer cooperation between China and Kenya serves the mutual
interests.
Kenya is a gateway to East Africa and a key focus of China's
trade and economic cooperation with the African continent. The
war-free country with stable political situation made Kenya an
ideal regional base for Chinese investors to expand their business
in Africa.
The two governments signed the agreement on trade in 1978 and
the agreement on promotion and protection of investments in
2001.
For the celebration, a series of festive commemorative
activities have started in full swing in Nairobi, including
"Beautiful China" photo exhibition, China-Kenya Fair for Trade and
Economic Cooperation held at a newly-launched China Trade Center,
an acrobatic performance and the issue of a first-day cover and a
set of two commemorative stamps.
(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2003)
