This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
Kenya's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has received a significant boost with China's announcement of its support.
Speaking during a courtesy call on President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in Nairobi, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Wang Yong said China believes Kenya is better placed to voice Africa's interests at the UNSC.
Mr. Wang, who is in the country to attend the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway freight service from Nairobi to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot, congratulated Kenya following its endorsement by the African Union (AU) to vie for the UNSC non-permanent seat.
China's support, as a UN member state with a permanent seat on the UNSC, brings Kenya a step closer to achieving its goal.
During the meeting, President Kenyatta and Mr. Wang also discussed the enhanced bilateral relations between the two countries, including trade and infrastructure development.
Mr. Wang noted that China is working on an arrangement to increase access to the Chinese market for Kenya's exports, citing the lowering of taxes on frozen avocados from Kenya as an example.
The President commended the partnership between Kenya and China, saying the projects are geared towards stimulating the country's economic growth.
