President Mwai Kibaki at his Harambee House office today met and held discussions with the vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Congress (NPC) Ms. Chen Zhili who paid him a courtesy call.

During the talks, Ms. Zhili expressed appreciation to President Kibaki and the Kenya government for the pivotal role played in brokering peace in Sudan and the horn of Africa. Ms. Zhili who is also the NPC Chairperson of all Women’s Federation, assured President Kibaki that China would provide the necessary support towards peace and stability in the horn of Africa.

The Chinese NPC official declared support for Kenya’s decision to invite Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to attend the promulgation of the new constitution in Nairobi last week. She pledged China’s support for Kenya if the country is subject of discussion at the United Nations Security Council.

“Kenya as a neighbor and guarantor to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on the Sudan require the support and not condemnation by the international community in her efforts to broker peace between the Southern and Northern Sudan.”, Ms. Zhili said.

The Chinese Official also congratulated President Kibaki and other coalition government partners for passage and promulgation of the country’s new constitution. Ms. Zhili also appreciated Kenya’s support for the One China policy which provides that Taiwan was and remains an inalienable part of China. President Kibaki and Ms. Zhili discussed issues focusing on enhancing Kenya-China cooperation under the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) whose principals provide long term guidance for the growth of China and the African continent.

China is partnering with Africa on climate change, science and technology, capacity building, agriculture, medical care and health, human resource development and education, cultural exchanges and the opening up of Chinese markets for African products, programmes whose implementation in the next three years will strengthen China- Africa cooperation. President Kibaki hailed the cordial bilateral and trade relations existing between the two countries which have continued to flourish through exchange visits at all levels.

The President particularly expressed gratitude to China for the immense contribution to the country’s infrastructural development over the years. The Head of State noted with appreciation that China is today one of the leading bilateral donors to Kenya’s infrastructural development with a cumulative official development assistance of ksh. 36.7 billion.

China and Kenya have signed agreements and MOUs in various fields including technical and cultural cooperation, trade, education, health, energy, agriculture and cooperative development. The Chinese delegation in the talks included chairman of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of NPC Mr.

Wang Guangtao, Vice Chairperson of the Financial and Economic Affairs of NPC Ms. Wu Xiaoling, Deputy Secretary General of the Standing Committee of NPC Mr Han Xiaowu and the Vice Chairperson of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress Ms. Chen Xiaochuan.

In attendance were Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Mr Richard Onyoka, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura and PS Foreign Affairs Thuita Mwangi among other senior government officials.