Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday said he was confident that the
close cooperation between China and Kenya would enter a new phase
of development.
During his talks with Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi yesterday at
the State House in Nairobi, Zhu said: "China is willing to join
Kenya in further strengthening and consolidating these all-round
co-operative relations."
The Chinese premier arrived in Kenya on Tuesday afternoon at the
invitation of the Kenyan Government. It marked the last leg of a
three-nation tour, which also took Zhu to Turkey and Egypt.
During their one-hour meeting, the two leaders exchanged views
concerning Africa's situation and bilateral relations. They reached
a consensus on jointly contributing to the stability and prosperity
of the African continent, said a Chinese delegation spokesman.
They agreed that China and Kenya would continue their sustainable
co-operation on the world arena and promote the steady development
of bilateral ties in more sectors.
Zhu told his host that China highly regards the support given by
the Kenyan Government to Beijing's stance on human rights issues
and appreciates Kenya's long-term adherence to the one-China
policy.
The Chinese premier said economic and technological co-operation
make up an important part of the Sino-Kenyan relationship, and the
two nations have achieved "effective and fruitful" results in this
area over the years.
He
said China had offered assistance in the construction of
infrastructure in Kenya and hoped to expand co-operation to such
new areas as telecommunications, road construction and personnel
training.
Moi responded by saying that his government highly valued China's
generous aid to Kenya. He stressed the aid had been of great help
in his country's economic and social development.
Moi reiterated Kenya's policy that the People's Republic of China
is the only legitimate government of China. He expressed his
appreciation of the two countries' close co-ordination in
international affairs.
Zhu noted that the friendly Sino-Kenyan relations have developed
consistently, thanks to frequent political consultations, the
expansion of economic co-operation and close contact on the world
stage since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two
countries in 1963 and particularly since Moi became president in
1978.
Zhu said China has attached great importance to its friendly
relations with African countries and always supports their efforts
for peace and development in the continent.
The Chinese Government is taking measures to fulfil the commitments
it made at the Sino-African Co-operation Forum held in 2000 in
Beijing, with particular efforts being made to reduce the debts of
African countries, encourage investment in the continent and train
personnel, he added.
(China
Daily April 25, 2002)