Tillerson cancels day's events in Nairobi due to illness

What you need to know:

  • China’s loans to Africa have recently been thrust under spotlight with critics saying the agreements are often skewed to favour Beijing.
  • Mr Wang argued critics of China’s association with Africa have failed to provide assistance where it needs it. 

Visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday cancelled scheduled events in the country after he was taken ill on his second day of the visit.

A State Department spokesman was quoted by Reuters explaining that Mr Tillerson was “not feeling well”.

“The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple of days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has cancelled his events for the day,” spokesman Steve Goldstein told reporters travelling with Mr Tillerson.

Among the events Mr Tillerson was scheduled to take part in was a visit to the Pumwani Maternity Hospital in the company of Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.

CHINESE LOANS
He was also scheduled to lay a wreath at the site of the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, in which more than 200 people were killed, and attend an event to highlight US health assistance in Africa.

The cancellation came as the Chinese government fought back claims of exploiting Africa, in the wake of Mr Tillerson’s remarks cautioning the continent not to trade sovereignty for loans.

Mr Tillerson has been on a tour of Africa where he urged leaders to tame rising appetite for Chinese loans.

At the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr Tillerson said African countries have to be cautious.

“We are not in any way attempting to keep Chinese dollars from Africa. It is important that African countries carefully consider the terms of those agreements and not forfeit their sovereignty,” he argued.

“The United States commitment to Africa is quite clear in terms of the importance we place on the relationship.”

PARTNERSHIP
But Beijing trashed the narrative, instead arguing China’s commitment to Africa has passed the test of time.

“China and Africa are friends tested by adversity. Such friends must never be forgotten,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a statement distributed through the Chinese embassies.

“So be assured: No matter how the world may change or what others may say, the profound friendship between China and Africa will remain unbreakable, and China’s promise of sincerity, real results, friendship and good faith will remain true.”

In Kenya, Chinese diplomats generally refuted claims of exploitation, arguing the World Bank has already shown in a recent report that Chinese firms, on average, employ twice as many locals as other foreign companies.

EMPLOYMENT
The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi argued that all the 73 Chinese firms operating in Kenya have a near-compulsory corporate responsibility to restore any damaged environment such as excavated soil, plant trees, reduce environmental pollution, and support local communities with amenities such as schools, clinics and boreholes.

“Creating employment opportunities is just one aspect of Chinese enterprises proactively upholding corporate social responsibility, more Chinese businesses are creating win-win outcomes while transferring technology, engaging with local communities and preserving the local environment,” the Embassy argues on the status of Chinese firms in Kenya.

The Chinese are now Africa’s largest trading partner since 2009, reaching $220 billion in 2015, with Africa importing at least 15 per cent of goods from outside the continent coming from China.

In Kenya, that trade is about $6 billion (Sh600 billion), mostly favouring Beijing. This is about six times that between Kenya and the US ($1.02 billion).

However, the US sent financial support to Kenya worth $941 million (Sh94 billion), $588 million of which came through the USAID.

Most of the money went to health, agriculture, safety and other economic programmes.

SGR
China’s loans to Africa have recently been thrust under spotlight with critics saying the agreements are often skewed to favour Beijing.

In Kenya, they have provided funding for key roads and the standard gauge railway.

While they plugged an important hole in infrastructure, it also contributed to rising debt in the country.

On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma defended the engagement with China, saying it is beneficial both ways.

“This country is engaging with the partners from across the world driven by our own interest and for our own value,” she said.

SECURITY
In Beijing, Mr Wang argued critics of China’s association with Africa have failed to provide assistance where it needs it. 

“Africa faces the twin challenges of maintaining peace and security and of promoting development and revitalisation,” he said.

“In response to its needs, China will step up mediation in regional flashpoints.

"China will also enhance cooperation with African countries on unconventional security threats such as terrorism, piracy and natural disaster, and help them build capacity for ensuring their own peace and security.”

In September, Beijing has invited all African countries for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to discuss what it says will be China-Africa cooperation “in the new era and focus on jointly advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and turning China and Africa into a community with a shared future”.

The initiative is a $1 trillion project by President Xi Jinping, targeting about 60 per cent of the global population to enhance trade, by improving infrastructure like ports, railways and roads.