China-Africa Forum, Good Opportunity for Economic Cooperation: Kenyan FM

Kenyan Foreign Minister Bonaya Godana has viewed the forthcoming China-Africa cooperation forum as a good opportunity for the two sides to work together to counter the negative effects of economic globalization.

He said he is looking forward to the forum as an opportunity for the developing countries including China and African nations, adding: "We will discuss development issues on the international scene."

Godana is expected to lead a Kenyan government delegation to attend the forum to be opened in Beijing on October 10.

"In particular, we will focus on globalization and liberalization to see how we can cooperate to resist some negative sides of the process, because the process is a risk of marginalization for Africa," the minister said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Noting that the new world political and economic order is to be based on globalization and liberalization, he said: "There are twin contradictions. If it is handled properly, it would be beneficial to all. But if not properly managed, it is a disaster for weak members."

Godana pointed out that with western countries guiding the principles of the world trade system, it is difficult for developing countries to enter the markets in the developed countries.

Ostensibly, developed countries cited health and environment reasons, but these are just excuses to bar some particular products from developing countries, he said.

"It is a great challenge. The new world political and economic order should be based on equality and fairness. It means increased income for both haves and have-nots, not an increased gap between the developed countries and developing countries," he added.

He urged the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to be reformed to represent the interests of the client countries.

"It should be more representative, more transparent. We are all equal members by the constitution of the institutions, but in fact major decisions are made by some principle shareholders," he said.

Godana expressed the hope for China's earlier entry into World Trade Organization (WTO), saying: "We count on China with traditional solidarity to make WTO more equitable."

During the interview, the foreign minister particularly mentioned a traditional solidarity between China and Africa. "We think China can give us experience on development and other issues, " Godana said.

"China is able to feed its 1.2 billion people and it is a great achievement," he added.

On the issue of Taiwan, he said that Kenya has always been upholding one-China policy, stressing: "We do look forward to the reunification of China."

The minister expressed his satisfaction with the relations between Kenya and China.

He said: "The current state of economic and political cooperation between Kenya and China is excellent. It is going from strength to strength."

The first agreement for bilateral economic cooperation and trade was established in 1964. He said: "Trade and economic cooperation has been dramatically better recently with the volume of business expanding.

"Quite a number of Chinese firms are already operating here. I am happy about it. We hope more Chinese companies will come here and set up joint-ventures with Kenyans," he said, adding: "We want to benefit from expertise from the Chinese people, particularly in areas of telecommunications, information technology."

However, Godana said that trade between the two countries are in favor of China, hoping more Kenyan products will land on China's markets.

"We are looking forward to expanded economic cooperation, trade and increased exchanges," said Godana.

He also thanked China for its development assistance to Kenya, including building sports complex, hospitals and other facilities for Kenyans.

As to cooperation among African countries, Godana proposed that a realistic approach should be adopted.

The minister noted the slow economic development in Africa and attributed it mainly to colonial rule, cold war which divided the continent, military conflicts and lack of capital and technology.

"We believe in unity. But we don't believe public show exercises. Africa is one continent, but one diverse continent, with different languages, conflicts, different development levels in many countries," he said.

"We must be realistic. Cooperation should start from sub-regional cooperation," he said.

Economic integration is the first. "Integration should boost the quality of people's living standards. It is the tangible way of building our community," he said.



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