{Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, arrived to Kenya Saturday as part of an official tour to various countries across Africa. During Yi’s tour he will visit Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
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In Kenya, the Chinese diplomat affirmed that his nation plans to increase funding to Kenya’s industrial and technological sectors. He explained, “Kenya is at the stage of industrial take-off and China is ready to support it with its experience in attaining successful industrialization.”
“China stands ready to share its experiences on industrial zoning and special economic zones and we are ready for more cooperation in these fields,” he added after meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.
During his visit, Yi encouraged Kenyan and other East African states to incorporate elements of China’s economic model. He emphasized the importance of industrial relocation. “Industrial relocation was how China took off and Kenya can benefit from it,” he expressed. “China allowed companies from neighboring countries like Japan to set up shop within China,” Yi continued.
China’s partnership and cooperation in Kenya as well as other African nations focus primarily on development and infrastructure. This tour promises to expand cooperation to areas of agricultural modernization as well as technology.
In addition, the two countries will begin to partner in mineral exploitation and environmental conservation.
Currently, Kenya and China began the construction of the standard gauge railway. Kenyatta expressed his enthusiasm for the standard gauge railway stating that he hopes it extends into neighboring countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Our relationship is built on the principle of partnership,” Kenyatta said. “This is a partnership I want to see increased and cemented to bring mutual benefits,” he added.
Kenya also celebrated China’s pledge to support regional initiatives in favor of peace.
The meetings were additionally attended by Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi and Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Monica Juma. The Chinese delegation included China’s Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa.
Wang’s tour follows a last year’s visit to Kenya by China’s Premier Li Keqiang. Seventeen bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries in May 2014.
Agencies
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