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)