Kenya can look to China in the face of punitive sanctions by the West on the ICC suspects

As Kenyans are gearing up to the much anticipated March elections of 2013, there are fears that the Country’s relationship with the International community will not be business as usual if the ICC suspects are elected into office. However, Kenyans can bet on China to continue with its friendly diplomatic relationship with Kenya.

China’s friendship and cooperation with Kenya and other developing countries is based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and non-interference in internal affairs. It respects other countries choices of leaders, social system and development path. In the recent report to the 18^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, outgoing president Hu Jintao outlined China’s diplomatic priorities in the new era. He emphasized that China will remain a reliable political ally and sincere partner to developing countries. He said China is opposed to any attempts to subvert the legitimate government of any developing country and will not abandon the principle of non-interference in other countries, however, it will share its views and experiences with other developing countries to ensure peace and stability prevails.

Western and developed nations often take advantage of their dominant positions to take offensive positions and interfere with the internal affairs of developing nations. China has strongly spoken against this practice and has consistently come to the defense of developing countries by insisting on legality, justice and consensus among countries across the globe. Its stance in favor of developing countries in not only reflected in what it says but by its actions. It opposes punitive economic sanctions that affect the lives of ordinary citizens. With respect to Zimbabwe; China has used its veto six times to protect the citizens of Zimbabwe from the punitive sanctions imposed by the western countries.  These sanctions do not entirely influence the decisions of the leadership of Zimbabwe but only subject the ordinary citizen to more hardship and suffering. China will always stand by developing countries. “We will decide our position and policy on an issue on its own merits and work to uphold fairness and justice,” Hu Jintao said.