China, Kenya pledge to strengthen ties

Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with PM Raila Odinga in Beijing/XINHUA
BEIJING, Jul 19 – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga pledged on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral ties by broadening cooperation in various fields.

Wen said during their meeting that China and Kenya have enjoyed sound bilateral relations and the two sides need to further enhance mutual support, deepen mutual trust and cement friendship given the complicated international and regional situation.

“China will continue to support Kenya’s efforts to improve people’s livelihoods and develop the economy. China is also willing to broaden cooperation in investment and service trade so as to promote balanced development of the two countries’ economic and trade relations,” Wen said.

Noting that Kenya is China’s important cooperation partner in Africa, Wen said China will take the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as an opportunity to work with African countries to upgrade China-Africa relations under the principle of sincerity, goodwill, equality, mutual benefit and common development.

Odinga thanked China for its firm support and generous assistance to Kenya over the years.

He said Kenya welcomes China’s investment and is willing to broaden cooperation in energy, infrastructure construction, agriculture and tourism.

Kenya is also willing to enhance coordination with China on key issues including climate change and the United Nations reform, he added.

“China and Africa have enjoyed expanding cooperation since the FOCAC was established. The cooperation has promoted Africa’s development as well as regional peace and stability. I believe this meeting will achieve positive result and promote Africa and China relations to a higher level,” he said.

XINHUA

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