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Kenya, China to Further Bilateral Ties
The friendly relations between Kenya and China have gained fresh and strong momentum of development in the new century, with both governments on Thursday pledging further efforts to enhance their ties.
Henry Kosgey, Kenyan Minister of Education, Science and Technology, said the relations between the two countries are strong and expanding rapidly, and the frequent exchange of visits involving top ranking government officials and business people underlines the bonds of solidarity and understanding between Kenya and China.
Addressing a ceremony here at the Chinese Embassy marking the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Kosgey said the enhanced partnership between the two countries is further exemplified by what has been achieved in bilateral trade and investment this year.
Official figures indicate that in the first half of this year, trade volume between China and Kenya reached 68.51 million U.S. dollars, up 21.3 percent over the same period last year. In 2000, the bilateral trade volume totaled 137 million dollars.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Du Qiwen, on his side, said the Chinese government has always attached great importance to the development of Sino-Kenyan friendly relations of cooperation.
"China's cooperation with the wide developing world, including Kenya, is South-South cooperation based on sincere friendship, equality and mutual benefit," Du said, pledging that China will continue to make its contribution to the cause of world peace and development under new historical circumstances in the 21st century.
Kosgey said Kenya welcomed the decision of the Chinese government, following the Sino-African Cooperation Forum held in Beijing in October last year, to make available special funds to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in African countries including Kenya.
Some 20 Chinese companies are already operating in Kenya, he said, adding that he hopes more Chinese business people will take advantage of the bilateral agreement on promotion and protection of investments concluded in July this year by setting up new enterprises in Kenya.
The minister thanked China for agreeing in July to reduce Kenya's debt in the amount of 1 billion shillings (about 13 million U.S.dollars), hoping that this generous gesture will galvanize other creditor countries to recognize their disposition towards Kenya's external debt problem.
Du observed that the Kenyan government and its people have made great efforts to realize economic and social development, and China deems with high regards Kenya's contributions to the settlement of regional conflicts and the promotion of regional integration.
"China is the biggest developing country undergoing modernization and Kenya is one of the African countries with great development potentials. Our two countries do share broad and bright prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation," Du said.
Kenya and China have worked together very closely in safeguarding their mutual interests and common objectives, Kosgey said, stressing that Kenya will stick to the one-China policy.
"As members of the United Nations, the Group of 77 and other international organizations, Kenya and China will continue to make a significant contribution to world peace and stability," the Kenyan minister said.
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