The Chinese government has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the China Square shopping centre in Nairobi and allegations that the retail outlet is running Kenyan traders out of business.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya noted that Beijing fully supports bolstering trade relations with Kenya while adding that Nairobi should protect the rights and interests of Chinese traders in the country.
“The Embassy has taken note of the recent situation on the issue of “China Square”, and would like to reiterate that the Embassy supports deepening trade and investment cooperation between China and Kenya, and supports Chinese enterprises and Chinese citizens in conducting business in accordance with Kenyan laws and regulations,” said the Chinese Embassy.
“At the same time, we hope that the Kenyan government will protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and Chinese citizens, and create an inclusive and friendly business environment, so as to better promote China-Kenya practical cooperation and bring benefit to our two countries and two peoples.”
On Tuesday, hundreds of small-scale traders held protests in the Nairobi CBD over what they termed as business takeover by Chinese traders.
The irate traders accused China Square, a business owned by Chinese investor Lei Cheng, of setting an unhealthy competition for them.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday met the Nairobi traders and assured them of the government’s readiness to get rid of unfriendly policies threatening their businesses.
Speaking when he hosted the traders at Harambee House Annex for deliberations on an array of issues they said are an impediment to their businesses, the DP said his office was always open for engagement with the business owners and other Kenyans.
The meeting convened by the DP after the traders sought his audience was attended by Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration) and Alfred Mutua (Foreign and Diaspora Affairs), Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, counterparts Abubakar Hassan Abubakar (Investment) and Julius Korir (Cabinet Affairs).
The DP asked the traders to allow the government to exhaustively look into the issues and come up with comprehensive feedback on their problems in the next three weeks.
