President praises China for support

President Kibaki on Tuesday saluted the Chinese Government for supporting infrastructure development in the country.

The infrastructure has been identified as a catalyst in the attainment of Kenya’s development plan, Vision 2030.

The Head of State and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday held separate talks with a Chinese delegation visiting the country.

The delegation led by an official of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr Wang Zhaoguo, is seeking further co-operation in agriculture, health, education, trade and tourism.

Lot to learn
The President noted that Kenya and other African countries have a lot to learn from the industrialisation and economic development of China. He commended the increased commercial exchanges through the joint Trade and Economic Commission.

Mr Wang was accompanied by, among others, the deputy secretary-general of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr Wang Wanbin, and the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, Mr Deng Hongbo.

And at the PM’s office at Treasury Building, the delegation said China would support Kenya and other African countries in reducing the effects of climate change.

Mr Wang said climate change transcended geographical boundaries, adding that China expected developed countries to uphold the principles of the Kyoto Protocol and provide funding to Africa and other developing countries to protect themselves against environmental change and effects of climate change.

“Climate change affects the international community and humanity at large and in the just-concluded China-Africa meeting in Egypt, we committed ourselves to support Kenya and other developing countries to overcome the effects of climate change,” he said.

Mr Odinga said climate change was seriously affecting Kenya’s economy, noting that the country was living between the twin disasters of drought and floods.