China seeks greater cooperation with Arab Nations

On June 5, 2014, the Chinese government hosted the 6^th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) at the great hall of the people in Beijing. With the theme “building modern Silk Road and promoting China-Arab common development, the Conference brought together delegates from Arab states and the Arab league with their Chinese counterparts to discuss further cooperation in economic, political, cultural and educational fields. More than 200 delegates were in attendance including foreign ministers and representatives of China and the League of Arab states (LAS). Africa was well represented by Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.

President Xi Jinping graced the opening ceremony of the ministerial conference and delivered an important speech stressing the promotion of the Silk Road spirit to deepen the china-Arab cooperation. The Silk Road is a series of trade and cultural transmission routes that connected regions of the Asian continent from China through the Mediterranean Sea by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, nomads and urban dwellers during various periods in historical times. Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations of China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe, and Arabia, opening long-distance, political and economic interactions between the civilizations. During the coming of age of Islam, Arab traders became very prominent.

In his speech, president Xi Jinping said that through the ancient Silk Road, the ancestors of the Chinese and Arab peoples took the lead in the friendly exchanges among nations in the ancient world. It is in this historical context that he hoped the two sides will promote the Silk Road spirit and take the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century for the benefit of the Chinese and Arab people. The Silk Road proudly bears the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefits and win –win results.

China and the Arab states enjoy mutual understanding and friendship because of the Silk Road, and are natural cooperative partners in jointly building the "One Belt One Road". The two sides should hold a broader vision and down-to-earth attitude to establish a "1+2+3" cooperation pattern, namely, to take energy cooperation as the core, infrastructure construction, trade and investment facilitation as two things and three;  high and new tech fields of nuclear energy, space satellite and new energy as new breakthroughs.

Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Beileh of Somalia met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the current situation in Somalia. He expressed that Somalia is now facing very big challenges and hoped to carry out cooperation with China in the fields of road network, port construction and agriculture.

China is the old friend and traditional trade partner of Somalia. The famous Chinese navigator Zheng He passed the costal shores of Somalia to the Kenyan coast of Malindi where he decked. A constantly developing Somalia is good for the Silk Road maritime trade. Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese side will firmly support the peaceful and social development of Somalia and will reopen the Chinese Embassy in Somalia as soon as possible. He further stated that China stands ready to continue to strengthen security cooperation, provide assistance to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and send the convoy fleet to safeguard the maritime security in relevant waters.

The conference achieved major positive outcomes and consensus was achieved on all the major directions, priority fields, specific measures and implementation road map in strengthening China-Arab cooperation. Both sides signed three important documents including the "Beijing Declaration", the "Action Plan for 2014 to 2016" and the "Development Plan for 2014 to 2024", proposing cooperation ideas, cooperation measures and cooperation routes on how to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results between China and the Arab states. Among the documents, the "Development Plan" puts forward the overall objective and advancement direction for the development of the China-Arab relations and determines 15 key cooperation fields such as economy and trade, energy, culture, industry, agriculture, science and technology, health care, education, press and publication, infrastructure, aerospace, environmental protection and non-governmental exchanges.

The "Action Plan" stipulates that in the following two years, both sides will continue well organizing the seven major institutional activities such as the China-Arab Business Conference and Investment Seminar, China-Arab Energy Cooperation Conference, Seminar on China-Arab Inter-civilization Dialogue, China-Arab Friendship Conference, China-Arab Press Cooperation Forum, and China-Arab Senior Health Officials' Meeting. It also determines that in the following two years, both sides will focus on eight major cooperation intents such as establishing China-Arab senior officials' strategic dialogues, promoting the construction of the free trade area between China and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, establishing China-Arab Technical Training Center of Desertification Prevention and Control, and implementing China-Arab Scientific and Technological Partnership Program.

The 6^th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) was a great success as both sides have become closer and more focused as Arab states are “turning east” while China is seeking greater cooperation for mutual development through the modern Silk Road.

My visit to China Giant Panda Sanctuaries

A visit to the Giant Panda sanctuaries in China is akin to foreigners visiting the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Whereas the Maasai Mara has been named the seventh wonder of the world, the Sichuan Giant Panda sanctuaries was inscribed on the world Heritage list as a natural property by UNESCO. The sanctuaries are, to some degree  ‘a living museum’ where you will find apart from the giant Pandas, golden monkeys, antelopes and other rare animals as well as more than  10,000 species of flora, this being a world-renown biodiversity area. The sanctuaries offer the most awe inspiring sights on earth and a trip to witness this magnificence is an unforgettable experience.

 The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries are located in southwest Sichuan province of China. They are home to more than 30% of the world's pandas which have since been classified as highly endangered. The area covers 924,500 ha and boasts seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains. The sanctuaries constitute the largest remaining adjacent habitats of the rare giant panda and are a relic from the paleo-tropic forests of the tertiary Era which makes them historic objects.

Previous IUCN evaluations have noted the potential to meet natural world heritage criteria citing the earth’s history and geological features with its superlative natural beauty and aesthetic importance to biodiversity and threatened species. The sanctuaries are home to other globally endangered animals such as the red panda, the snow leopard and clouded leopard. They are among the botanically richest sites of any region in the world outside the tropical rainforests, with between 5,000 and 6,000 species of flora in over 1,000 genera.

The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries are principally renowned for their importance for the conservation of the giant panda and recognized as a “National Treasure” in China as well as a flagship for global conservation efforts. The property is the largest and most significant remaining adjacent areas of panda habitat and the richest sites of any temperate region in China and the world. Underlining the outstanding value is that it protects a wide variety of topography, geology, and plant and animal species. The property has exceptional value for biodiversity conservation and can demonstrate how ecosystem management systems can work across the borders of national and provincial protected areas.

The range of landforms within the sanctuaries contributes greatly to its high scenic value. There are 20 special scenic areas within the property, each possessing its own unique features. These include steep forested valleys, scenic rivers, rocky crags, wide alpine meadows and the mountain peaks of Siguniang Mountain. The area is vast and breathtaking covering a total area of 9,245 square kilometers in 12 counties and four cities and prefectures. These are Chengdu, Ya'an, Aba and Garze.  

The Giant Panda’s themselves are the most lovable creatures on earth. They have a simple, rather naive look and seeing them automatically translates to loving them. They have small black ears, a big head, a round face and the famous “black eye patches”. Its body is covered with fur which looks like a black and white coat. Giant Panda’s mostly eat and rest and are not aggressive. Because of their humility, they serve as an enduring symbol of peace and friendship in China. They are rare animals and considered as "living fossil" native to China. However, they are endangered species attracting global attention and affection in equal measure. With fewer than 1,000 in the wild and 100 in captivity, its extinction may be only a matter of time if the conservation efforts stop. They not only constitute one of China's national treasures, but they are of universal value in terms of the protection of biodiversity.

Panda tourism is big business in China as more and more are people are discovering this hidden paradise. Each year 800,000 people visit the country's best-known centre at Chengdu, which is almost 2,000km southwest of Beijing. If you like your animals black, white and unabashedly cuddly, this is the place to be. The Chengdu Railway Station has trains leading to more than 10 large cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai. There are also regular scheduled bus services to the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

Chengdu is known as the panda capital of the world and is the obvious destination for panda lovers. It is where you will find Panda Base, an important conservation and breeding centre and a green oasis in the city, home to more than 90 of the black-and-white bears. The city of Chengdu loves it pandas and there are homages to them everywhere you go, from taxis with pandas on their bonnets, to the 20ft tall silver statue in the city centre.

China’s success in bringing pandas back from the brink offers important lessons for other countries. The nation that saved the panda has arguably the best record of any developing country for protecting endangered animals, saving not just the panda but also stabilizing populations of Tibetan antelopes and black snub-nosed monkeys. I would therefore recommend a visit to the giant Panda sanctuaries for an experience of a lifetime.

Inaugural world wildlife day marked with good momentum in our wildlife cooperation with China

On March 3, 2014, the world marked the inaugural World wildlife day.  This is the day that the UN general assembly recently established in order to celebrate and raise awareness on the fight against wildlife crime in this precarious era. In retrospect, our country has achieved major milestones in wildlife protection thanks to the support and cooperation from our dedicated ally China.

 

The support and cooperation that we have received from China is remarkable. You might not be aware that every single Chinese citizen who comes to Kenya gets a text message at the point of entry warning them against buying, handling and involvement in illegal wildlife trade. The Chinese Embassy website, the most probable site that a Chinese visitor will log into, contains the same messages urging Chinese nationals to obey local laws and customs with an emphasis on wildlife protection. Kenyans may not be aware of this as well: This is because this information is conveyed in Chinese language. Nevertheless, these are some of the measures that the Chinese government have put in place to support Kenya’s efforts in Wildlife protection.

This kind of cooperation has not been limited to media platforms alone. In January, 2014, the Chinese Embassy and the National forestry Bureau of China conducted a lecture on anti-poaching here in Nairobi. Wildlife stakeholders including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF), and TRAFFIC were all represented. This was a very significant event in the country as it was meant to support anti-Poaching measures in Kenya and to educate and inform the Kenyans and the Chinese community in Kenya against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Law enforcement efforts have also been scaled up and implemented in recent years. For example, In 2012, China called for an international crackdown on wildlife crime, and led the first international operation involving 22 countries in an operation dubbed Cobra in early 2013.Last month, out of two coordination centers in Nairobi and Bangkok, China played a leading role in operation Cobra II; the most successful joint sting operation that resulted in the arrest of an Ivory trafficking kingpin and others responsible for funneling large amounts of poached elephant tusks between Africa and China.  This was a major milestone in the fight against illegal wildlife trade and other forms of wildlife destruction as the stronghold in Kenya was effectively broken.

As a result of a vigorous campaign by the government with the support of the Chinese government, people from all walks of life are responding positively and actively to contribute to the well being of our wildlife. Notably, several Chinese nationals have joined the efforts by the Chinese government and the Kenyan government in this cause. They include Mr. Huo Long who established the Luo Hong Environmental Protection fund at the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) here in Nairobi and donated ksh 150 million to the conservation of Lake Nakuru National park. Luo Hong has been of great service to the Kenyan nation, and in recognition for this; he became the first foreign national to be awarded a state commendation award (Moran of the Order of Burning spear by the former president, Mwai Kibaki.

Others include Zhuo Qiang, commonly referred to as “Simba” who left a good government job in China, his wife and a 7 year old daughter to come to Kenya to support conservation and Yao Ming, the famous Chinese basketball player who was in Kenya recently. Yao Ming teamed up with “save the elephants” and Ol Pejeta conservancy to shoot a documentary highlighting the dwindling populations of Rhino’s and elephants in Kenya. The documentary titled “wild aid” highlights the beauty and economic importance of wildlife tourism.

The dual offensive and the cooperation against poaching and smuggling of wildlife products between Kenya and China is a show of commitment and a show of friendship and responsibility. Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Xi Jinping met in Beijing, China where the Chinese president emphasized the need to work together on issues of common concern. The two countries signed a deal worth $5 billion for various projects that included wildlife protection in Kenya. Looking at the decline in the rate of poaching and wildlife crime today, it would be fair to say that this was a noble move that has made a significant impact in our capacity to protect our wildlife. The number of Chinese and Kenyan nationals involved in poaching and wildlife trade has declined significantly. The few cases that we continue to experience are often individuals who are on transit from neighboring countries where wildlife laws and enforcement is still weak.

Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi said that China and Africa are good brothers who share weal and wore. He added that we are good partners for common development. Isn’t this evident in the cooperation and support that we have received from China? Every Kenyan who has witnessed the worth ethic and determination of the Chinese people in projects like the Thika superhighway and others which have been successful, will be highly optimistic that the 100% commitment that we see in wildlife protection, can be relied upon.

China’s Navy escort missions attest its big power responsibility

The 15^th Chinese Navy Escort Task Force paid a honorary goodwill visit to Kenya at the Mbaraki Berth in Mombasa from January 2 to 5, 2014. This was the first Chinese navy escort fleet to visit Kenya since China started its escort missions in Somali waters at the end of 2008 and was in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Kenya.

The visit by the 15^th Chinese Navy Escort Task Force not only highlighted the genuine friendship between China and Kenya but also affirmed China’s solemn promise to safeguard world peace and security. It also marked a happy occasion in China-Kenya relations with a great historical significance. The great Chinese navigator and naval pioneer, Zheng He, visited the Kenyan coast of Malindi and completed several epic voyages in East Africa after defeating major pirates in Somali waters as early as 1368-1644 AD, during the Ming Dynasty.

The Task Force had just successfully completed its escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters and was on its journey back to China after handing over to the 16^th Chinese navy Escort Task Force. It was composed of two ships; “Jing Gangshan” Landing Platform Dock (LPD) 999 and “Heng Shui” Frigate 572. In the past four months, this glorious fleet escorted 181 ships from countries all over the world, with a success rate of 100%.

Since 1978 when China began opening up and reforming its economy, it has gradually accumulated its national strength, improved its image and taken an active role in international affairs. As it marches towards the centre of the world arena, China has been compelled to take International responsibilities matching its power, status and position. Despite inexperience in fulfilling great power responsibilities, the Asian nation has been swiftly thrust into the role of a great power and has resolutely taken these responsibilities in a stride. This is a profound interpretation of China’s image as a responsible power.

Great power responsibilities include financial, humanitarian, global governance and politics, international security etc. China is positively engaging the International community in addressing these challenges in a more primary role. It has increased its involvement in non-traditional security issues, and sought a more understanding of the world, especially Africa, to achieve a strong sense of responsibility.

The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions in 2008 calling on all countries and regions to help patrol the gulf and waters off Somalia, where increasing piracy was posing a great danger to international shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes. As a responsible member of the international community, China felt obliged to implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions to curb piracy on the gulf of Eden and protect the safety of marine routes.

Since then, it has undertaken navy escort missions and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and successful endeared itself to the international community which in the beginning were wary of China’s intentions and feared that it would challenge the security or commercial interests of other countries in the region. Those doubts have been cast by the highly disciplined task forces that have been discreet and above board with strict observance of UN resolutions and other relevant international laws. They have proved that they are simply interested in guarding the international waters from armed pirates who are our common enemies.

Former Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said during a regular briefing that China will take concrete actions to ensure world peace and stability, and practice the people-first foreign policy. He also stressed that China will adhere to the path of the peaceful development and practice a non-aggressive defense policy. This is a positive step for China’s diplomacy and its commitment to global security is bound to lead to a better and a more peaceful world.

China has sent a total of 16 task forces of ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia for escort missions. Among the over 5,000 vessels they have escorted, more than 50% are foreign vessels. During these escort missions, the officers and men of the Chinese naval escort taskforces effectively ensured the safety of ships and men on board carrying goods and humanitarian supplies of international organizations including the United Nations World Food Program, winning widespread praise from home and abroad.

Maintaining world peace and advancing common development is an important mission for the Chinese military in this new era. China understands that it bears a great responsibility as an emerging power and explains that participation in world security cooperation is by no means an enlargement in sphere of influence or even territorial expansion. Rather, it is for an enabling regional security environment, for interests to be shared with other nations, and for fulfillment of its due international responsibilities and humanitarian obligations. These deployments do not go against China's foreign policy of non-interference in other nations' affairs.

China has become a player and builder of international peace and security. The times and tides of the 21^st century point to China’s new reading that seeks bonds of cooperation, peace and prosperity.

Toll roads: inspiration from China

Toll roads are in the offing. The government has finally realized that it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. The idea of introducing toll roads has been circulating in relevant government quarters for some time now. This has come after the realization that public coffers alone cannot sustain the soaring demand for more roads. Whereas China has played a significant role in financing and improving the road network in the country, lessons abound on how to effective bridge the budget deficit through public private partnerships.

The government has already announced that Kenyans will soon start paying for use of major roads in major towns and highways through toll charges to finance construction and repair of new roads. Users of the Thika superhighway were supposed to be the first to pay toll fees but the implementation has been postponed. Other projects set to be funded by tolling include a second bridge at Nyali in Mombasa and the building of a dual carriage superhighway between Mombasa through Nairobi and to Nakuru.

The pay for use arrangement involves investors who put their money in infrastructural projects and recoup their money by charging users market price rate fees over time. This arrangement is effective because it allows the government to meet its infrastructural obligations that it would otherwise have not afforded in a short period of time without debt.

A recent Africa infrastructure report indicated the huge infrastructure budget deficit Kenya faces. Kenya requires approximately over Sh320 billion per year over the next decade to address the deficit. This deficit can only be met by an efficient toll authority that will not only construct and maintain the roads, but regulate traffic efficiently in major towns.

Although many people view toll charges as double taxation from government, there are many benefits that come with toll road charges that not many people notice. “We have to embrace tolling. Look how far it has taken China and India,” Transport secretary Michael Kamau averred.

China is a global leader and a great example of a country that has used toll roads to fund its massive national road network in a very short time. It does indeed have about 70 percent of the world’s total length of tolled roads. No other country has built an Expressway network of such scale in such a short period of time in history.

The establishment of China’s National Trunk Highway System in 1991 was the beginning of road infrastructure miracle in China. Investments were made to construct an Expressway network of nearly 85,000 km, a Class-I highway of 68,000 km, and Class-II highway of 320,000 km. Road tolls were used to help contribute to and to recover all financing costs.

The use of toll roads to finance road infrastructure is increasingly being used in countries whose highway capital and operating expenditure requirements outstrip public resources to pay for them. This is true for countries such as Brazil, India, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and many others. In the United States, more than 4,000kms of the Interstate Highway system are tolled.

As a country that has greatly benefited from improved road infrastructure from China, Kenya needs to continuously consider the new standards set and emulate the blueprint that China has laid for us. The Asian giant has made considerable contributions in our roads infrastructure over the recent past, but we cannot expect China to take over the government’s infrastructure obligations.

Many economists and transportation experts see toll roads as the inevitable solution to our road transportation problems and predict a lot of benefits if implemented. They argue that apart from financing the projects, it will improve efficiency in managing both existing and future infrastructure projects. If congestion rises, prices rise and that signals the need for expansion and ensuring that the road facility meets the demand.

Secondly, toll roads increase fuel economy. By increasing the overall capacity of a region’s road network system, toll roads are able to absorb some of the excess traffic that would otherwise have contributed to traffic congestion on non-tolled roads. This enables vehicles to move at more fuel efficient speeds at both toll and non-tolled roads. Moreover, the accident rate on toll roads is lower than other roads, because the flow of traffic is more even.

Toll roads also reduce urban sprawl by balancing the cost of using a road. Traffic congestion is the direct result of under-pricing of roads. The pay to use arrangement depending on market demand would give less incentive to drivers to use busy roads, or live in congested areas and would resort to use either public transportation, or move to areas closer to work or where they travel most.

It is time to embrace toll roads and the government cannot effort to be left behind in this re-emerging strategy of financing road infrastrure. China has proved that this strategy is efficient and workable and the results are there for all and sundry to see.

Third Confucius Institute to propel Chinese Cultural exchange in Kenya

The third Confucius Institute in Kenya was launched as part of the special occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of Kenya’s Independence and the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya.

The establishment of the third Confucius institute in Kenya signifies Kenya’s importance as a reliable friend and a strategic partner in China’s cultural diplomacy. It also highlights China’s commitment to culture and people to people exchanges in Kenya and the region.

The first Confucius Institute in Kenya was established at the University of Nairobi on 19^th December 2005. It was the first Confucius institute of its kind to be established in Africa and was highly significant for China’s cultural offensive that the then Chinese president Mr. Hu Jintao paid it a visit during his visit to Kenya in the year 2006. It has been instrumental in promoting the understanding of Chinese language and culture since its launch. 

The Confucius Institute at University of Nairobi has been voted top 20 Confucius Institutes globally with the excellent reward six times in succession from 2007 to the end of 2012. It is an official HSK test center in Kenya for the HSK Department.  HSK is “Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì” meaning Chinese Proficiency Test, the only standardized test of Standard Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers of mandarin such as foreign students, overseas Chinese, and members of China’s ethnic minority groups. The test is administered by Hanban, a non-government organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

Because of the high demand and interest in Chinese language and culture in Kenya, the second Confucius Institute was established at Kenyatta University in December 2008. It offers free lessons for one academic year to any student who is interested in learning the basics of Chinese language, an effort for which they receive a certificate. This gesture has been received well and students, teachers, businessmen and tour operators have grabbed the opportunity and registered in droves.

The launch of the third Confucius institute at Egerton University will give Kenya the highest number of such institutes in Africa with South Africa, further cementing Kenya’s place as a key center of cultural diplomacy in the region. Moreover, the Confucius institute at Kenyatta University is conducting a pioneer programme in which a select group of secondary school teachers from schools within Nairobi can learn Chinese. The group of about 20 teachers is then expected to teach Chinese to students in their respective institutions. It is worth noting that the Chinese language has also permeated various primary schools in the country as a foreign language of study.

Since the establishment of the first Confucius institute in Kenya, over 200 students from the Confucius institutes have gone on to study in China on scholarships. For instance, in the last four years, there were 45 students in 2009, 40 in 2010, 97 in 2011 and 17 in 2012 that got long-or-short-term scholarships and studied in China. Currently, some of them are still studying on scholarship in China; 7 are studying for master’s degrees, 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 13 for one-year certificates in Tianjin Normal University.

Confucius Institutes in Kenya have made a significant contribution to the development of strong cultural and economic links between China and Kenya. The Institutes are mandated to teach Chinese Language and Culture, Chinese Fine Arts, Sports and Games, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Confucius Philosophy and other related Chinese programmes. They facilitate Sino-Kenya educational and cultural exchanges through specific programmes and consolidating and carrying on the friendship among the two countries. They are meant to be bridges that unite the Chinese people and the Kenya people and unlock business and trade cooperation.

Confucius Institutes are named after Chinese philosopher Confucius. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. He espoused the well-known principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", an early version of the Golden Rule.

Confucius institutes have become a platform for cultural exchanges as well as bridges for reinforcing friendship and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. There are more than 350 Confucius institutes in 180 countries which are promoting the philosophy of the ancient Chinese scholar while facilitating cultural and educational exchanges. They are modelled on France’s Alliance Francaise, Germany’s Goethe Institute, and the British Council, but enjoy the added advantage of being attached to universities as independent departments awarding certificates, diplomas and degrees in Chinese language studies.

The interaction and understanding between the Chinese people and Kenyan people has increased tremendously necessitating the establishment of the third Confucius Institute in Kenya. This opens a good opportunity for Kenya’s future if many can speak Chinese because China’s economy is growing very fast and this will translate into more opportunities for Kenyans as the two countries work closely to achieve mutual development goals.