Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday arrived in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on an official visit at the invitation of the eastern African country's government.
The 74-year-old leader looked jovial and energetic after a nine-day trip to Turkey and Egypt.
He arrived in Nairobi yesterday afternoon and he and his wife, Lao An, were greeted by Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi.
Kenya has been a close and trusted friend of China since they established diplomatic relations in 1963. The African country has been a loyal Beijing ally on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.
In a written statement distributed after his arrival, Zhu said: "The two countries have enjoyed a profound traditional friendship, which is growing day by day, and their political and economic cooperation has seen continuous consolidation and development over the past years."
Zhu said his four-day visit to Nairobi -- the first by a Chinese premier since 1983 -- comes when the China-Kenya relationship has entered into "its best period of time."
In his statement, Zhu said: "Kenya is a country that carries weight in Africa. It has played a positive and constructive role in promoting the cause of peace and development in the African continent."
Zhu said he was looking forward to exchanging views with Kenyan leaders on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest.
Zhu is scheduled to hold formal talks today with Moi, who visited Beijing three times since he became Kenyan president in 1978.
(China Daily April 24, 2002)
