Chinese government responds to Moses Kuria on China Square
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People of the Republic of China has responded to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Investment and Industry, Moses Kuria, over the ragging debate on China Square.
Through the Director General of the Department of African Affairs, Wu Peng, the ministry echoed the sentiments of Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Korir Sing’oei, on a non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory investment environment.
“I welcome the statement by @SingoeiAKorir. A non-arbitrary & non-discriminatory investment environment is vital to the healthy development of bilateral practical cooperation. I believe that through collective efforts, #China-#Kenya cooperation will better benefit both peoples,” Mr Peng tweeted.
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This comes after China Square was shut down on Monday following an uproar by Kamukunji and Nyamakima traders over what they termed as an invasion by the Chinese traders.
Last week, China Square, a one-stop mall on Thika Road next to Kenyatta University caused an online frenzy after thousands of Kenyans flocked to shop for their heart’s desires.
The business which has been in existence since January 29th reaped good returns with the owner Lei Cheng disclosing that the first week he sold goods worth Sh20 million and that on a bad weekend he now sells Sh10 million of goods.
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China Square’s rapid rise has not only irked Kenyan traders but also Mr Kuria who asked the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University to buy out the lease for China Square, Unicity Mall, and hand it over to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthruwa and Eastleigh Traders Association.
However, Mr Cheng has since stated that his business is legal and centered on healthy competition.
“We have cooperated with all government directives for opening a business in Kenya and we are here to break the monopoly. The people who are fighting us feel threatened because Kenyans now know we exist and we are not exploiting them in pricing,” he said.
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