Kenya's Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has commended China and other friendly countries for standing in solidarity with Kenya during the recent post election crisis.

He expressed the government's appreciation for China's interest in helping to reconstruct at least two learning institutions destroyed during the post election violence.

"This is indeed a demonstration of good friendship, China came in at the time of need and expressed willingness to help in national healing and reconstruction," he said.

The Vice President made the remarks late Wednesday during a cock-tail party hosted by the China Radio International in conjunction with Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation in honor of Chinese Media delegation visiting Kenya.

The delegation comprising 19 TV stations from various provinces and cities in China are in Kenya for a one-week visit to the country's tourism destinations to make a series of documentaries.

The Vice President lauded China-Africa relationship, saying China understood better the plight of the continent and the best approach in tackling the challenges.

Musyoka said Kenya would continue to respect the one-China policy and expressed confidence that the relationship between the two countries would be strengthened further.

He described the bilateral relationship as historical with high-level delegations making exchange visits regularly.

Musyoka thanked China for promising to fast-track the construction of the road between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the United Nations Headquarters at Gigiri.

He commended Chinese media for organizing the visit, adding that the various stations would help market Kenya in their country which he noted was a great boost to Kenya's tourism sector.

The Minister for Information and Communication, Samuel Poghisio, said the visit by the Chinese media was a clear indication of the existing cordial relationship between Kenya and China.

Poghisio described the visit as timely, coming at a time when Kenya's tourism sector had suffered decline due to the recent post-election crisis.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2008)