MOMBASA, Jan 7 (NNN-KBC) – Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, yesterday met here, with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who was invited to visit the country.
Kenyatta asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping. Kenyatta said, the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Kenya, demonstrates the strong relationship between them.
He said, China is not only a sincere friend of Kenya, but also a development partner of close cooperation, adding that, the deepening pragmatic cooperation in various fields and cultural exchanges between Kenya and China, created a large number of jobs in Kenya, improved people’s lives, and brought notable benefits to the people.
Kenyatta said, Kenya’s development achievements would not have been possible without China’s strong support, which is imprinted on the mind of the Kenyan government and people.
Every country has the right to independently choose a development path, suited to its own national conditions, and bring health, prosperity and dignity to its people, Kenyatta said, adding, there are always some people who like to point fingers at the country, saying that it has various problems, but China has sincerely helped Kenya solve problems and meet its needs with actions.
Kenyatta expressed Kenya’s willingness to continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with China, to achieve common development, saying the country is full of expectations for the future of Kenya-China relations.
Wang said, the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Africa at the beginning of the year is to demonstrate the solidarity and mutual trust between China and Africa and China’s firm determination to promote China-Africa friendship.
According to Wang, the visit will send three clear signals. First, China will stand firmly with Africa to fight the COVID-19 pandemic with solidarity, until the virus is completely defeated.
Second, China is willing to strengthen all-round cooperation with Kenya to help Kenya enhance its self-development capabilities and accelerate industrialisation.
Third, China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with Kenya in international and multilateral affairs, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights of the two countries and the common interests of developing countries, and safeguard international fairness and justice.
Kenyatta said, Kenya and China share common or similar positions on international and regional issues, and Kenya is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral settings, especially at the United Nations Security Council, to jointly promote a more just and reasonable international order.
After the talks, Wang was invited to attend the completion ceremony of the Chinese-built oil terminal at the port of Mombasa.
Wang also held talks with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Raychelle Omamo yesterday. They witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents and met journalists.
