China has established technology demonstration centers in Africa. What do you think about their roles in promoting China's agricultural technology?

This conference was supposed to take place in the province of Jilin. Unfortunately, because of the flooding, it was decided that the forum takes place in Beijing. And so allow me to send our condolences to the people of the province of Jilin following this terrible flooding.

But beyond that, it is hoped that we can see some of those centers. Now Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhai Jun, Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying, and Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Wang Jiarui have all talked about demonstration centers in Africa. I would want to see one. I don't think we have one yet in Kenya. I would want that we have such a center in Kenya and then learn from Chinese technology. As I said, the issue is that of technology transfer so that we can enhance full production.

These centers are very useful, because seeing is believing. And again, at the level of scientific research, we can then see something that is on the ground. So it is a very useful idea to have those centers.

What are your expectations for the future of cooperation between China and Africa?

My expectation is that in the near future, we are going to see agricultural practices transformed in Africa. We are going to see enhanced cooperation. We are going to see Africa, as a result of this cooperation, fully feed our people and to export food. And I think some of that [food] can come back to China.

There are certain categories of food crops, including horticulture, where Kenya is very good.  We grow flowers, we export them to the Netherlands, and they do very well at the international level. But China has not been importing much of these cut flowers from Kenya.

We therefore think we can share some of that experience. [We need to] expand [cooperation]. You can imagine, if we have a Boeing 747-400 cargo plane, flying on a daily basis between Nairobi and Beijing, that will also mean economic development for Kenya. So this is what I am expecting in the future. There will be a lot of cooperation, not just in agriculture, but in all around – infrastructure China has been helping Africa.

In terms of the East Africa Common Market which was established not long ago, how do you see its role regarding promoting economic development (see story on page 24-25)?

We think it's a milestone, it's a major achievement. [The organization involves] the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania. Rwanda and Burundi, with a population of 120 million. I know that does not sound very impressive if you are comparing it to China. But these countries are coming out very strongly; they are encouraging free movement of goods and services. They are encouraging and promoting East Africa as a common investment destination and a common tourist destination. And we are looking to the future in terms of common currency and all.

And therefore we are very excited as East Africa, that we have been able to start the common market. That is why we are thinking we should invite our Chinese friends to look at East Africa as EAST AFRICA, in addition to looking at it [in terms of] Kenya-China or Tanzania-China, etc.