People's Republic of China–Kenya relations

Sino–Kenyan relations

China	Kenya

China–Kenya relations date back to 14 December 1963, two days after the formal establishment of Kenyan independence, when China became the fourth country to open an embassy in Nairobi.^[1] Military exchange between the two countries has been increasing in the past decade. General Liu Jingsong, commander of the Lanzhou Military Region, led China's first military delegation to Kenya in December 1996; Major General Nick Leshan, commander of the Kenyan air force, paid a return visit in 1997.^[2] Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki visited Beijing in August 2005.^[3]

Bilateral trade amounted to US$186.37 million in 2002; China exported US$180.576 million to Kenya, while only importing US$5.798 million of Kenyan goods, mainly black tea, coffee, and leather.^[2]

Early in 2006 Chinese President Hu Jintao signed an oil exploration contract with Kenya; the latest in a series of deals designed to keep Africa's natural resources flowing to China's expanding economy.The deal allowed for China's state-controlled offshore oil and gas company, CNOOC Ltd., to prospect for oil in Kenya, which is just beginning to drill its first exploratory wells on the borders of Sudan and Somalia and in coastal waters. No oil has been produced yet, and there has been no formal estimate of the possible reserves.^[4]

In April 2007, the Jinchuan Group, a state-owned metal manufacturing group, became the first Chinese company to enter Kenya's mining sector, purchasing a 20% stake in Tiomin Kenya.^[5]

PRC state-owned China Radio International has operated radio station CRI Nairobi 91.9 FM since 2006.

In January 2010, it was announced that China will finance several infrastructure projects to build transportation links between Kenya and other countries in the region.^[6]

See also

• China-Africa relations
• Chinese people in Kenya

References

1. ^ "Kenya, China Mark 40-year Diplomatic Ties". Xinhua News Agency. 2003-12-11. http://www.china.org.cn/english/international/82128.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-06. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Kenya: Bilateral Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 2003-10-12. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/fzs/gjlb/3014/default.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-06. 
3. ^ "China to promote cooperation with Kenya: Chinese premier". People's Daily. 2005-08-19. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200508/19/eng20050819_203345.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07. 
4. ^ Barber, Lionel; Andrew England (August 10 2006). "China's scramble for Africa finds a welcome in Kenya" (in English). Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a51a39d2-280c-11db-b25c-0000779e2340.html. Retrieved 2008-06-27. 
5. ^ Onyango, Jim; Allan Odhiambo (2007-10-30). "Kenya: Attention Shifts to China After Latest Catch". Business Daily, Nairobi. http://allafrica.com/stories/200710300116.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07. 
6. ^ China to fund Kenya's second port, road and railway