Use the Browser BACK button to return to listings

Nairobi, April 28, 2006

President Mwai Kibaki, First Ladies Mrs. Lucy Kibaki and Mrs. Liu Yongqing (China) look on as President Hu Jintao sign the Distinguished Visitors' Book during the official welcoming ceremony at State House, Nairobi.

Kenya and China sign economic and cultural Agreements

Kenya and China today signed several agreements aimed at promoting development and developing relations between the two countries.

President Mwai Kibaki and the visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the agreements at State House Nairobi during which Kenya will benefit from a grant of Kshs 510,000,000 under an economic and technical cooperation.

The two countries also exchanged letters for the anti-malarial medicine in which the country will receive a grant of Ksh 42,500,000 they also agreed on the minutes of the 3rd. session of the joint trade and economic commission between Kenya and China, and exchanged letters for the maintenance of the Moi International sports centre.

Other agreements signed today involved an exchange of letters for a donation of rice to Kenya worthy Ksh 42,500,000 exchange of letters for the feasibility study on the rehabilitation of Nairobi roads and street lighting and renewal of agreement on educational exchanges and cooperation covering the period 2006 -2010 between China and Kenya and implementation programme under the cultural agreement for the year 2006-2008.

At bilateral talks held at State House Nairobi, the Chinese government announced a concessional loan for a further shs. 600,000 for projects to be agreed upon between the two countries.

In a joint communiqué issued at State house Nairobi after holding the bilateral talks with members of their delegations, President Kibaki and President Jintao expressed satisfaction at the steady growth of the bilateral relations between Kenya and China and agreed to continue fostering friendly and cooperative relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

They agreed to support each other over issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Kenya Government expressed support for China's efforts to realize national reunification noting the Government of the people's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

The two sides noted that the economic cooperation between China and Kenya had great potential and agreed to strengthen their cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade investment, infrastructure science and technology.

The Kenyan side welcomed the China policy on Africa released by the Chinese side indicating the Chinese side's readiness to establish and develop a new type strategic partnership with Africa, featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange.

The Chinese government appreciated the achievement of the Kenyan Government in economic development, efforts towards poverty eradication and maintenance of peace and stability.

The two sides noted that the opening of the Confucius institute in Nairobi and the launching of the Chinese FM Station would foster further understanding between the two peoples.

President Jintao congratulated President Kibaki for assuming the chairmanship of both the inter-governmental authority (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) and commended Kenya's positive role in conclusion of the Sudan and Somalia peace processes.

The two sides noted that the economic cooperation between China and Kenya had great potential and expressed readiness to expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, health, tourism, press, environmental protection and sports.

The Kenyan delegation included the Vice-President Moody Awori, and cabinet ministers Raphael Tuju, John Michuki, Amos Kimunya, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Maina Kamanda, Simeon Nyachae, Henry Obwocha and Mutahi Kagwe and the head of the public service Amb. Francis Muthaura among others.

Chinese delegations included among others the Minister for Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing, the Minister for National Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Minister for Commerce Bo Xilai and Chinese ambassador to Kenya Gou Chongli.