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China has rooted for a win-win cooperation saying it is the sure way of success for countries.
Chinese President XI Jinping has said that countries taking the lead in economic development should give a hand to their partners who are yet to catch up.

Jinping made the remarks as he announced eight steps that China will take to support joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which among other issues, includes building a multidimensional belt and road connectivity network.

“We should all treat each other as friends and partners, respect and support each other, and help each other succeed. As the saying goes, when you give roses to others, their fragrance lingers on your hand. In other words, helping others is also helping oneself. Viewing others’ development as a threat or taking economic interdependence as a risk will not make one’s own life better or speed up one’s development,” said Jinping.

He was speaking during the opening of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), where a host of world leaders were in attendance, including President William Ruto.

The Chinese President said that Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America, with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations signing up the cooperation’s documents.

Silk Road commerce

In other measures, he said China will support an open world economy by establishing pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries.

“We will remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. In light of international high-standard economic and trade rules, we will further advance high-standard opening up in cross-border service trade and investment, expand market access for digital and other products, and deepen reform in areas including the state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property and government procurement,” he assured.

China is to hold the Global Digital Trade Expo annually and in the next five years (2024-2028), its total trade in goods and services is expected to exceed USD 32 trillion and USD 5 trillion respectively.
He said China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas as green infrastructure, energy and transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition.

On advancing scientific and technological innovation, Jinping said China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, hold the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, increase the number of joint laboratories built with other parties to 100 in the next five years, and support young scientists from other countries to work on short-term programs in China.

As far as supporting people-to-people exchanges, China committed to host the Liangzhu Forum to enhance dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries.

Together with its cooperation partners, he assured that China will release the achievements and prospects of belt and road integrity building and the High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building, and establish the Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for Companies Involved in Belt and Road Cooperation.

Multi-lateral cooperation

China also committed to work with its belt and road initiative countries to strengthen building of multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think tank, media, culture and other fields.

During this period, Kenya and China have signed business deals covering ICT, health and engineering sectors worth Sh63 billion.

The business deals, which were signed by the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its China (KNCCI) counterpart are part of efforts to intensify trade between the two countries.
Speaking in Beijing, China during the signing ceremony, KNCCI President Dr Eric Rutto and his China counterpart Chen CongCong emphasized the need to promote trade for the mutual benefit of the citizens of the nations.

ConCong expressed concern that there was a trade imbalance between Kenya and China, saying efforts must be made to correct the situation. Rutto said Kenya has established a permanent representation office in China to protect Kenya’s investments.

“Kenya has also intensified efforts to export the country’s agricultural products to China including coffee, macadamia and honey among others as part of efforts to promote trade between our two nations,” said Rutto.

Chinese investors willing to invest in Konza Technopolis include; Inner Mongolia Mingxu Electric Power Engineering, Dongfeng Venucia Automobile Guangdong Qiya Exhibition, Gaochuang Import and Export and Zhende Medical Company among others.

Kenya-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it has established three pavilions to market Kenya in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan. President Ruto, who attended the Kenya- China investment meeting, said his Government has created a conducive environment for business to thrive.

“The reason why Kenya is ideal for business is because we have a big market, investments are protected, we are a democratic country and our people are hardworking, thus the availability of great human resource,” said President Ruto.