Africa-Press – Kenya. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has lauded the China-Kenya cooperation, which has blossomed over the decades.
Wetangula said Kenya is looking to carry forward bilateral relations as well as supporting the one-China principle for mutual benefit.
In an interview with China Daily, Wetangula said bilateral relations have grown phenomenally since the start of the century, which has boosted growth in Kenya and brought benefits to the people.
“When you look today, China is a signature to almost every major infrastructure project in Kenya, and the people of Kenya appreciate this. The relationship between Kenya and China is excellent,” he said.
“Look at the Nairobi-Thika Superhighway, the best highway we have in the country. Look at roads, even in the most unexpected rural areas that are being constructed by Chinese companies, water, dams, last mile connectivity and electricity, construction of institutions and universities.”
Encouraging the cooperation between the two countries to continue, Wetangula said there were a lot of positive things between Kenya and China.
China and Kenya celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year.
China is Kenya’s biggest trade partner while Kenya is China’s biggest trade partner in East Africa, where a number of signature infrastructure projects have been completed in recent years with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.
In addition to Kenya, China’s “positive footprints”, Wetangula said, can be seen everywhere, including Africa, Asia and South America.
“There’s a beacon everywhere that Chinese development can be visible, such as roads, bridges, and so on,” he said.
Wetangula, who is also a former Foreign Affairs minister of Kenya, said the reiterated that Kenya firmly supports the one-China principle, and recognises Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.
“Taiwan remains an integral part of China, and China is recognised as the only representative of the people of China. Regardless of what those who support Taiwan say, Kenya followed the resolution of the UN with which we voted,” he said during the interview.
In October 1971, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, which restored all rights to the People’s Republic of China, recognising it as the sole legal representative of China at the UN. The resolution has since been followed by the vast majority of the international community.
Recognising the one-China principle is “an inevitable development that no country will stand in the way,” Wetangula said.
He added that developing relations with China has proved to be in the interests of the continent and individual countries as well.
Wetangula’s comment coincided with Lai Ching-te assuming his role as the Taiwan region’s new leader.
China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said last week Lai sent “a dangerous signal” of seeking “Taiwan independence” in a speech upon assuming the role.
Based on the one-China principle, Kenya is looking forward to intensified bilateral cooperation in many areas through various platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, said Wetangula.
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