Chinese envoy pledges support to Kenya’s development agenda

   NAIROBI, July 10  -- Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Sun Baohong has pledged support to Kenya's Big Four development blueprint focusing on affordable housing, universal healthcare, manufacturing and food security.
   The newly appointed ambassador said she is deeply honored and confident to take on the historic responsibility to further advance the China-Kenya traditional friendship and deepen China-Kenya cooperation.
   "I will give my full support to the realization of Kenya's Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda, and speed up the alignment of our development strategies," Sun said in Nairobi on Monday evening during a welcome reception in her honor that was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.
   Sun, who becomes the 15th Chinese ambassador to Kenya, took over the mantle from Liu Xianfa whose tenure as Chinese ambassador to Kenya came to an end earlier this year.
   Sun said she will go all out to ensure that China-Kenya cooperation will continuously bear sweet fruits that benefit citizens of the two peoples, so that Kenya will be an example in the building of a community with shared future for China and Africa.
   This year marks the 55th anniversary of Kenya's independence as well as the 55th anniversary of China-Kenya diplomatic relations.
   Sun added that since she assumed office, she has been touched by the strong desire and determination of the government and parliament of Kenya to enhance China-Kenya relations and cooperation.
   "I am full of expectations and confidence about the future of our relations. I firmly believe that, with the support and care of the leaders and people of all sectors from both sides, China-Kenya relations will soar higher than the mighty Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, and grow deeper than the vast Indian and Pacific Oceans," she said.
   Sun noted that for the third year in a row, China has become Kenya's largest trading partner and investor and currently there are more than 400 Chinese enterprises in Kenya, creating 130,000 job opportunities for local people.
   She added that both nations are keen to enhance strong people-to-people bond as last year, about 70,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya, and the number is expected to reach 100,000 this year.
   The Chinese envoy noted that more than 600 years ago, ancient Chinese navigator Zheng He came to Kenya, leaving an unforgettable legacy in the history of China-Kenya friendly exchanges.
   "Years went by and China-Kenya friendly relations, as we have witnessed, have only become more robust and solid, rejuvenated with a strong momentum," she observed.
   Ababu Namwamba, Chief Administrative Secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said bilateral ties have been growing from strength to strength, adding that the partnership is having a transformative effect for the Kenyan people.
   "One example of the fruits of the cooperation is the Standard Gauge Railway which is a landmark project that has the potential to transform Kenya as well as the rest of the East African Region," he said.Xinhua