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Kibaki committed to improved bilateral ties

Updated: 2010-09-21 09:26

Kenya's long-term development blueprint to create a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life within two decades, Vision 2030 will be the anchor by which bilateral relations between Kenya and China continue to develop.

The wide-ranging framework, which aims to develop Kenya into a middle-income country by 2030, identifies flagship projects in key sectors like agriculture, education, health, water, the environment, and infrastructure.

During a three-day visit to Kenya in January this year, Yang Jiechi, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Kenya's Minister of Foreign Affairs Moses Wetang'ula signed a Kenya Sh551 million grant agreement to help Kenya develop.

With reference to Vision 2030, Yang Jiechi confirmed that China and Kenya share a similar vision and a common approach to important global issues.

This optimistic start to the decade demonstrates how Kenya and China's bilateral cooperation is continuing to go from strength to strength and was a significant boost for Kenya's foreign policy.

One of Kenya's leading development partners especially in the area of infrastructure development, China has provided accumulative official development assistance to the tune of $5.46 billion.

It is currently funding the construction of Thika road, a major artery serving Nairobi City, and the renovation of the Mombasa Rd-City Center-Gigiri road jointly with the Kenyan government. There are more projects in the pipeline.

Having given priority to infrastructure development, which has in turn triggered economic growth and massive job creation across the country, President Mwai Kibakiheld productive bilateral talks with His Excellency Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, during a five-day state visit to Shanghai in April in which he reiterated his government's formal request for Chinese partnership for the following projects:

* Development of a railway network from Lamu through the northern parts of Kenya to southern Sudan and Ethiopia.

* Development of the first three berths and associated infrastructure of the second port of Lamu.

* Construction of a standard gauge railway from Mombasa to Malaba.

* Mass transit light rail system for the Nairobi Metropolitan.

Showcasing Kenya

During his Shanghai visit, President Kibaki opened the Kenya Stand at the African Pavilion at World Expo 2010, thereby showcasing and marketing his country as a preferred destination for trade, investment and tourism.

Kenya's participation in the expo also aims at increasing exports of tea, coffee, cut flowers and pyrethrum and to promote joint ventures between Kenyan and Chinese companies to enhance the former country's brand and positive image.

During the visit, President Kibaki said: "China has proved to be a genuine development partner and a critical ally in Kenya's economic revival that has led to major infrastructure development in the country." The President affirmed that through Vision 2030, the government has adopted a pragmatic approach that would transform the country into a middle-income economy by 2030.

China Daily

(China Daily 09/21/2010 page19)