From China with help!

The Chinese government has declared it will support Kenya’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

A press release by the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) on Monday, December 16, indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Wang Yong stated that China had faith that Kenya was better placed to voice Africa’s interests at the UNSC.

The message was conveyed to President Uhuru Kenyatta when Wang paid a courtesy call to the head of state at State House, Nairobi on Monday evening.

“We firmly support the reforms of the UN Security Council and believe that Kenya will help to increase the voice of African countries at the UN Security Council,” Wang stated.

Wang is in the country to attend the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway freight service from Nairobi to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot on Tuesday, December 17.

The Chinese envoy added that his country was proud of the intense lobbying that President Kenyatta had put in place to ensure that Kenya’s bid for a seat at the UNSC was successful.

At the meeting in State House, the two leaders also discussed bilateral trade, with both agreeing that more needed to be done especially in areas of cooperation and private sector engagements to boost business in the region.

The Chinese envoy promised to push for arrangements that would see more of Kenya’s exports get into the expansive Chinese market, citing the lowering of taxes from 30 per cent to seven per cent as one such incentive.

President Kenyatta was also reported to have discussed security, education, science, and technology.

Wang was accompanied to State House by the Chairman of State Asset Supervision Commission Hao Peng, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Wu Peng and Deputy Secretary-General of State Council Meng Yang among others.