国内英语新闻:East Africa, China explore new areas of cooperation

NAIROBI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The East Africa Community (EAC) and the Chinese government held talks on Wednesday to explore new areas of cooperation and boost trade between both sides.

A statement from the EAC Secretariat said China's Ministry of Commerce Director Department of West Asian and African Affairs Chai Zhijing held discussions with Secretary General of the East African Community Juma Mwapachu on bilateral cooperation. "The Chinese delegation were at the EAC Headquarters to explore areas of cooperation specifically trade and investment opportunities in areas such as agriculture, animal-husbandry, production and processing of mineral and other natural resources, manufacturing, commerce and logistics, and tourism," the statement said.

It noted that the delegation wants to know how China could support and facilitate cross-border infrastructure projects such as transport, communication and power.

The Chinese and EAC officials also discussed cooperation in human resource development and training.

Speaking during the meeting, Mwapachu said the visit by the director will open further the cooperation space between China and the EAC.

He said the prevalence of Chinese firms in the region was very high in the construction industry and some other infrastructural developments.

He noted that Chinese companies were involved in the construction of the EAC Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road project

The EAC secretary general said the regional economic bloc, which comprises Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, was truly looking forward to forging a lasting relationship with China.

Chai said China has very good economic and cultural relations with all the five partner states of the East African Community and that all the five states were enjoying economic stability.

He said EAC had a reputable framework for integration and development for the region, adding that "these form the solid basis for establishing cooperation with the People's Republic of China."

The two sides agreed to come up with a concrete framework for engaging each other in the identified areas of cooperation, within one month.