President Kibaki has urged China to consider investing in the flagship
projects
earmarked for development under the LAPSSET project in Lamu
March 27, 2012. FILE
Daily Nation
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
President Kibaki has urged China to consider investing in the flagship
projects earmarked for development under the LAPSSET project in Lamu.
During talks with Liu Qi a member of the Political Bureau of the
Communist Party of China and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal
Committee at his Harambee House Office Tuesday, President Kibaki said
the projects are intended to revitalise the economies of regional
countries such as South Sudan and Ethiopia.
The President said China was a close friend and a
valuable partner not only in the advancement of friendly bilateral
relations but also strategic partner in development, peace and security
in the Horn of Africa region and Great Lakes region.
With regard to the military operation in Somalia,
President Kibaki said the proactive action was intended to curtail
threats created by the Al Shabaab to Kenya’s national security and
blatant violation of its territorial integrity.
Appealing for China’s support in the ongoing Amisom
operation, the President said the Somalia conflict had mutated into a
complex situation whose threats extended beyond Kenya, to the
neighbouring countries and even to the international community.
President Kibaki reiterated that Kenya’s specific
mission to Somalia was to diminish the threats posed to Kenya’s social,
political, military and environmental security.
The Head of State was grateful to the substantial
bilateral support extended to Kenya by China with a cumulative official
development assistance totalling to Sh42.21 billion.
President Kibaki singled out the construction of
the Southern and Northern by-passes in Nairobi and the Mama Lucy Kibaki
Hospital in Embakasi as some of the major projects undertaken with
financial assistance from China.
Mr Qi said through the existing joint Trade and Economic
Commission, his country and Kenya will explore ways and means of
enhancing trade and investment to address the trade imbalance currently
in favour of China.
He expressed his government’s desire and commitment
to continue working closely with Kenya in all areas of mutual interest
to the benefit of citizens of the two countries.
Foreign Affairs minister Prof Sam Ongeri, assistant
minister Richard Onyonka, acting Head of Public Service and Secretary
to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia were present.
Mr. Qi was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to
Kenya Liu Guangyuan and the Vice-Minister of the International
Department of the CPC Central Committee Ai Ping, among others.