Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has bid farewell to China Ambassador Zhou Pingjian following the end of the latter’s four-year tenure in Kenya.
During the meeting held at the DP’s official residence in Karen, Kindiki said Kenya remains on top of China’s diplomatic engagement with Africa.
“As Ambassador Pingjian leaves Nairobi following the end of his tour of duty, Kenya looks for more ways of cooperating with China for the prosperity of the people of both countries,” he said.
The DP noted that during the last 61 years of close ties, the people-to-people and government-to-government friendship have grown in “leaps and bounds”.
He stated that much progress has been made under the Belt and Road Initiatives and significantly impactful infrastructural projects have been realised.
This, he attributed to bilateral programmes and under the auspices of The Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Some of the infrastructural projects include the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which connects the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi and is being expanded to Naivasha and beyond.
The railway is aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity for both freight and passengers, boosting trade and regional integration.
Others include the Nairobi expressway, Thika superhighway, Mombasa port expansion, power grid expansion and Lamu Port-South Sudan- Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
In September during the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Zhou reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Kenya, under the leadership of Presidents Xi Jinping and William Ruto.
He outlined China’s aim to be “three types of partners” with Kenya, being sincere partners of mutual trust, cooperative partners of mutual benefit and strategic partners in upholding fairness and justice.
Then, the Ambassador acknowledged their role in enhancing
China-Kenya relations and fostering development.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who was in attendance reiterated Kenya’s appreciation for its strategic partnership with China.
“Kenya greatly values the strategic partnership with China, which is people-centred, mutually beneficial, and permanent,” Mudavadi said.
