In a joint communiqué issued in Nairobi Friday Chinese President Hu Jintao and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki explained they had agreed to continue developing friendly and cooperative relations for mutual benefit.

 

It says 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 keep the momentum of their exchanges moving along with high-level visits to enhance mutual understanding, 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 was the sole legal government representing China and Taiwan. It was an inalienable part of Chinese territory, said 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 adding that the Chinese side greatly appreciated the position taken by Kenya.  

 

The communiqué says the two countries expressed readiness to expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, health, tourism, media, environmental protection and sports.

 

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

 

The Kenyan side welcomed the China Policy on Africa which indicates the readiness of China to establish and develop a new-type of strategic partnership with Africa featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange, states the communiqué. .

 

Hu arrived in Kenya Thursday on a three-day state visit 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)