Anchor raised on new leg of long voyage
Updated: 2014-05-12 11:17
By Liu Xianfa (China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
The visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Kenya, part of a trip that also takes in Angola, Ethiopia and Nigeria, holds great significance for both China-Kenya and China-Africa relations.
Fifty years ago, the late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai visited 10 African countries and put forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Eight Principles of Foreign Aid, mapping out the guidelines of China's policy toward other developing countries, Africa included, and opening a new chapter of China-Africa relations.
|
|
Li's visit is important because it will be his first to Africa as premier and the first visit to Kenya by a Chinese premier in more than 10 years. As a result, collaboration, cultural and economic exchanges and political trust between the two countries can only grow, which marks out the visit as historic.
China and Kenya are, of course, geographically far apart, but they are well connected, politically, economically, culturally and technologically. The friendship and collaboration they enjoy is treasured by the people of both nations.
Kenya is one of the coastal countries of the Maritime Silk Road. About 600 years ago, the Chinese navigator Zheng He visited Kenya four times during his seven voyages to the western oceans, and myriad are the legends that have been passed down to us about them. Since China and Kenya established diplomatic ties 50 year ago, the two have enjoyed numerous great achievements, on the basis of equality and mutual trust.
Last August, President Uhuru Kenyatta chose China as the destination of his first overseas state visit, during which he and President Xi Jinping decided to set up a China-Kenya comprehensive cooperative partnership. In December, China and Kenya celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Early this year, the Chinese navy escort fleet visited Mombasa, the first to Kenya since China started its escort missions in Somali waters at the end of 2008.
Related Stories
Chinese minister vows to boost trade cooperation with Kenya 2014-05-10 15:34
Chinese firm to tap into Kenya's telecom market 2014-02-14 16:32
Chinese firms to build 20m passenger terminal in Kenya 2013-12-03 09:47
Kenya lauds Chinese leader for supporting railway project 2013-11-29 10:55
China's investment boosts African integration 2013-08-22 10:59
Chinese firm explores solar energy in Kenya 2013-08-20 09:49
Today's Top News
Armored team patrols Beijing's streets
Ukraine regions hold sovereignty vote
India, Pakistan troops exchange fires on Kashmir LoC
Panda base looks for caretakers
China, Kenya sign rail deal
Putin makes triumphal visit to Crimea
China better place to be a mom
Berlusconi starts community service
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Variety is the spice of academic life |
Documents prove the truth can't be buried |
Race to remember story of resistance |
Strait talking: From enemy to friend |
Welcome to the world’s largest garbage dump |
The latest word on books: Keep those pages coming |