Chinese President Hu Jintao and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki agreed to continue fostering friendly and cooperative relations for mutual benefit, says a joint communiqué issued in Nairobi Friday.

 

It says that the two leaders held discussions in a "warm and cordial" atmosphere, had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad agreement on bilateral relations and international issues of common interest.

 

They agreed to continue the momentum in the exchange of high-level visits to enhance mutual understanding and friendship and deepen cooperation in all fields, says the communiqué.

 

The two leaders agreed to continue to support each other over issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity, it says.

 

The Kenyan side reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy, saying that 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, according to the communiqué.

 

The Kenyan government expressed its opposition to "Taiwan independence" in any form and expressed its support for China's efforts to realize national reunification, it says, adding that the Chinese side highly appreciated the position of the Kenyan side.

 

It says the two sides expressed readiness to expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, health, tourism, press, environmental protection and sports.

 

They noted that economic cooperation between the two countries had great potential and agreed to strengthen their cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade, investment, infrastructure, science and technology, says the communiqué.

 

The Kenyan side welcomed the China Policy on Africa released by the Chinese side that indicates 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 communiqué says.

 

Hu arrived here Thursday on a three-day state visit to Kenya as Kibaki's guest.

 

Kenya is the last leg of Hu's five-nation tour which has already taken him to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Nigeria.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2006)