Africa-Press – Kenya. As world leaders from more than 130 countries are set to convene in Beijing, China from Tuesday for the 10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Embassy Minister Counselor Zhang Yijun said China is happy to receive a high-level delegation from Kenya.
Yijun was reminiscent that in 2013, China President Xi Jinping proposed a vision of a global community and a shared future.
In October of that year, President Jinping reached an agreement with other countries to build a 21st-century link to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime networks.
This would manifest through the construction of railways, seaports and roads.
“And so came to be the Belt and Road Initiative after President Jinping coined the name,” Yijun said.
Yijun said BRI was aimed at improving regional integration, increasing trade, and stimulating economic growth.
He said in the 10 years of Kenya-China relations, the BRI has evolved from just mere ideas to actual activities that are visible and tangible.
“From a vision into a reality. From general framework into big projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and also a cooperation platform,” Yijun said.
Yijun said BRI means job opportunities that will cement the Sino-Kenyan relations.
“To Kenya and China, it does not only mean more roads, bridges and access to water, it means peace, development, meaningful cooperation and prosperity as well,” Yijun said.
He spoke on Friday during The Belt and Road: My China Story Speech Competition Final which was held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi.
The competition gave its 10 finalists 10 minutes each to deliver speeches on how Sino-Kenyan relations have impacted them.
Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry CEO Patrick Nyangweso said Kenya and China have had long-standing relations adding that Sino-Kenyan relations have existed for 60 years now.
“I am proud to share that as Kenya chamber we have established an office in Hunan Province of China to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries,” Nyangweso said.
He said two Kenyan companies are already in the pilot-free zone. Further, he reported that Kenya has signed over 13 MOUs with Chinese associations to unlock trade between the two countries.
Already, President William Ruto has jetted out of the country to attend the BRI.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said the visit will underscore the robust bilateral relations between Kenya and China.
He said it will also highlight Kenya’s active participation in the third Belt and Road initiative.
“The President will deliver a keynote address headlined Digital Economy as a New Source of Growth at the high-level forum, highlighting Kenya’s advancements in information and communication Technology and innovation,” Mohamed said after Ruto left on Saturday.
The theme of the forum is “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.”
He said the forum will bring together world leaders for talks on cooperation and partnership, emphasising infrastructure development and enhanced connectivity across continents.
President Ruto will also hold bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to discuss matters of mutual benefit and cooperation.
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