On August 18, 2005, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council separately met with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in the Great Hall of the People.
Wu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 42 years ago between China and Kenya, the bilateral friendly relation has been developing smoothly all along despite great changes in the international situation and the two countries' situation. The cooperation areas are expanding, with the cooperation contents constantly enriched. Both sides have carried out close cooperation and supported each other in international affairs. China attaches importance to developing the relationship with Kenya and regards Kenya as a trust-worthy friend. China would like to work with Kenya to promote the long-term and stable growth of China-Kenya friendly and cooperative partnership in a bid to benefit the two peoples.
The NPC of China would like to further deepen the friendly exchanges with the Kenyan National Assembly at all levels, consolidate the cooperation between the special committees and goodwill groups, communicate the experience in democracy and legal building, strengthen the consultation and coordination in multilateral parliamentary organizations in an effort to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples and make greater contribution to the comprehensive growth of bilateral relations, according to Wu.
Wen said that China-Kenya relations enjoy a firm foundation and the two countries share common aspirations of further developing bilateral relations. Kenya is an important country with a relatively better economic basis in East Africa. China hopes to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation with Kenya, maintain the tradition of supporting and helping each other on the international stage, and adopt more active measures to expand the mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as agriculture, telecommunication, and infrastructure construction.
Wen also pointed out that China and Africa are sincere friends and partners. The Chinese government highly values Africa and is willing to make joint efforts with Africa to safeguard the interests of developing nations, seek common development and advance the new type of partnership between China and Africa.
Kibaki said that Kenya gives priority to strengthening the traditional friendship with China and will continue to pursue the one-China policy. Kenya hopes to strengthen the cooperation with China in such fields as politics, economy and culture. Kenya welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Kenya and take Kenya as the gateway to the African market. He also noted that African nations including Kenya would like to keep consolidating the solidarity and cooperation with China, and work with China to maintain the regional and global peace and stability, eliminate poverty, and achieve common development.