President Mwai Kibaki has said Kenya and China should enhance their close cooperation in articulating the interest of developing countries at the international level. Speaking when he met Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall in Beijing, President Kibaki stressed that the two countries should work together towards a more equitable global and economic dispensation. He lauded the healthy relations between Kenya and China which, he said, had cemented political, cultural and economic cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries. "The Development Cooperation Framework Agreement signed in Beijing in in March 2004, establishes the broad parameters of our engagement," the Head of State pointed out. He added: "The subsequent Memoranda of Understanding on Economic and Technical Cooperation and on cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas, signed in Nairobi, last February energizes our growing relations in that field." Noting that the critical challenge confronting Kenya in the 21st century was to raise the rate of economic growth and reduce the high levels of poverty, President Kibaki informed the Chinese Premier that the Government had undertaken broad economic reforms within the framework of the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation which articulates the Government's vision and aspirations for renewed economic growth. "In these efforts, we look for support from your friendly government in encouraging Chinese Foreign Direct Investment into Kenya and to increased and diversified trade between our two countries," the President said. He said Kenya's strategic position in the region provided access not only to the East African Community market but also to the larger Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which has a population of about 400 million people. In this regard, the President observed that by investing in Kenya, Chinese business people would have a gateway to the larger market. "I am delighted to note that the ties between Kenya and China have been given a considerable boost through the granting by China of the Approved Destination Status for group tourists to Kenya, and the establishment of direct flights between Nairobi and Hong Kong by our national carrier Kenya Airways," he said. The Head of State once again expressed satisfaction that since the establishment of direct flights between Nairobi and Hong Kong by Kenya Airways, tourist arrivals from China to Kenya have doubled. "This success is indicative of the considerable interest by our two peoples in further expanding contacts in the fields of trade and tourism," President Kibaki said. He said Kenya Airways had also increased its flights to three per week and intends to make its inaugural flight to Guangzhou in main land China by 1st October this year. Said the President: "China's rapid growth characterized by political stability, national harmony and poverty eradication measures are a great inspiration for all of us." At the regional level, President Kibaki informed the Chinese Premier that Kenya successfully mediated the Somalia and Sudan Peace Processes. "Post Conflict reconstruction will however, require concerted support from the international community to attain a lasting peace," the President said. In order to consolidate the regional peace initiatives, President Kibaki said Kenya was prioritising development of roads, railways and telecommunications links amongst countries in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. He said Kenya would appreciate Chinese support for development of a road and oil pipeline linking South Sudan to the Kenyan port of Lamu, adding that Kenya was also seeking support for the development of a Freeport at Lamu. Speaking during the occasion, Mr. Jiabao hailed Kenya's role in ensuring peace in the East African region and pledged China's support to the ongoing efforts to reconstruct war-torn countries in the region. Noting that President Kibaki had initiated several policies aimed at improving the welfare of Kenyans, the Chinese Premier said China fully backed the socio-economic reforms the Kenya Government was currently implementing. He thanked President Kibaki for visiting China, saying the visit would go a long way towards binding the already good relations between the two countries. Mr. Jiabao also commended Kenya for being a shining example of political stability not only in the East African region but also in Africa and beyond. Present during the meeting were Ministers Chirau Ali Mwakwere, David Mwiraria, Morris Dzoro, Amos Kimunya, Musikari Kombo, Raphael Tuju and Assistant Minister Moses Wetangula among other senior Government officials accompanying the President.