September 21, 2013 will remain a very sad day for Kenya and its friends all over the world. I was shocked to learn that a terror attack had occurred at the Westgate shopping mall. There were many innocent civilian casualties among them a Chinese lady who was shot dead and his teenage son shot in the thigh. The Chinese nation shares the pain and we have expressed strong solidarity with the Kenyans in the wake of this attack.
Chinese president Xi Jinping sent a condolence message
to President Uhuru Kenyatta and expressed his sincere sympathies to the Kenyan
government and people. I also made a statement on the matter where I strongly
condemned the heinous act and assured Kenyans of support from the Chinese
community in Kenya.
On September 23, more than 100 Chinese people in
Kenya, who include company staff, tourists and businesspeople gathered at the
National blood transfusion centers to donate blood to the victims of the
attack. This was initiated by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Eastern
Africa and Kenya Overseas Chinese Association. They have promised to hold
similar events in Kenya to offer more financial and material support to
Kenyans.
China stands
firmly with the Kenyan government and people at this difficult time. We believe
that the Kenyan government and people will tackle the crisis appropriately and
get through the difficulty.
Kenya has
already suffered heavy blows from acts of terror, but each time, Kenyans have
arisen more resilient and determined than ever before. After the Westgate
attack, I believe Kenyans are much stronger and will rise again.
China and the
rest of the world witnessed in wonder, the great human spirit and determination
of ordinary Kenyans to stand together in such a difficult time, speak with one
voice and forge ahead and remind the world that they are not only tolerant of
others but have co-existed with different races, religions, ethnicities and
nationalities; a lush reminder that “we are one”.
China acknowledges
that the Westgate attack is an incident that could have happened in any other
capital around the world and therefore it is our responsibility as a close
friend of Kenya to help it recover as fast as possible.
This is not the
time for investors to shy away, nor is it the time to discourage business and
commerce. I have met with Chinese businesspeople in Kenya and although they
have enhanced security and are more vigilant, they have not slowed down
business or closed their shops during this trying time.
The stock market
dropped for two days after the attack but I am pleased to note how fast it has
recovered from the shock. The IMF and other financial analysts have predicted
that Kenya will withstand the impact of the attack as it has always done
before.
The tourism
industry in Kenya which is the largest source of foreign currency was predicted
to suffer a temporary dip before achieving recovery. However, the allure of
Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife, together with the hospitality of the
Kenyan people, has kept tourists coming.
With the second half of the year serving as the peak
season for tourism, analysts are predicting that the economy is on track for
growth of between 4.5% to as much as 6% this year. I expect more Chinese
tourists to visit as there have been no holiday cancellations as a result of
the Westgate incident.
As Kenya’s traditional friend and development partner,
China will stick to the development agenda of Kenya in all circumstances. We can safely
say that the basis of the friendship between our two countries has been more
solid.
It is only a
month ago that President Kenyatta paid a successful
State Visit to China. The two leaders exchanged views on the development of
China-Kenya relations and signed a series of significant cooperation agreements
on railway, new energy exploration and electricity transmission.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between our two countries and embark on a new journey,
China is committed to work with the Kenyan government in its efforts to
safeguard national security, enhance peace and regional stability.
For people like me who have had the privilege to live
and work in Kenya, we feel like Nairobi is also our home and we will do
everything in our capacity to help Kenya overcome this tragedy continue on the
path of development and prosperity.
The Writer is the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Liu Guangyuan
