Kenya and China enjoy a promising cooperative relationship, which will be further consolidated by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's official visit to Kenya in due course, said Kenyan Ambassador to China Matthew K. M'Ithiri.
Matthew M'Ithiri told a Xinhua reporter in an exclusive interview that Premier Zhu would not only discuss political issues with Kenyan leaders during his visit, but also help to bring business opportunities to both countries.
"The official visit itself marks a milestone in the development of bilateral relations, and shows the great importance China attaches to the friendship with Kenya."
He further noted that during the visit, leaders from the two sides will try to explore more areas and new ways of cooperation, so as to boost the traditional partnership to a higher level.
Premier Zhu's visit was expected to yield very constructive results, and would have a positive influence on the prospect of the bilateral relations in the new century, he said.
On bilateral relations in general, he said Kenya and China had maintained close relations since Kenya's independence in 1963." The friendly cooperation between the two countries in various fields is promising and will be further promoted in depth and width with more frequent high-level exchanges," he said.
He highlighted bilateral cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture as well as education and other fields. "It has become very fruitful, and benefits both peoples," he said.
Both being developing countries, he noted, Kenya and China had developed their cooperative relations on the basis of sincere friendship, equality and mutual benefit. Kenya was grateful for the assistance accorded by the Chinese government over the years, he said.
He further emphasized that Kenya would continue to adhere to the one-China policy, and firmly stand by China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet."Both countries share a lot in common on international and regional issues and need to cooperate more closely to uphold the legal right of each country in choosing its own political and social system," he said.
On economic issues, he said the bilateral trade volume had grown rapidly in recent years, and China's investment in Kenya had increased all the time."The economic and trade ties have become an important bridge linking the two countries together."
Talking about his own experiences in China, he said recent years had witnessed many great changes. "China is a vigorous country and its prosperity will benefit the whole world."
( April 21, 2002)
