Post date: Aug 19, 2013 2:15:53 PM
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk trade, tourism and security.
BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 19, 2013)(REUTERS) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta met with Chinese President Xi Jinpingon Monday (August 19) during his first state visit to China.
Both Kenyatta and Xi met in front of the Great Hall of the People before sitting down for talks and overseeing a signing ceremony.
The talks were expected to focus on improving Kenya's infrastructure and interconnectivity, tourism, deepening trade, the strengthening of economic and trade relations, and peace and security.Agreements signed between China and Kenya covered economic, resources, energy, and agricultural cooperation.
Kenyatta is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday (August 20) and will leave Beijing on Friday (August 23).
China has extended its economic influence on the African continent in recent years, winning road construction tenders in Kenya, signing deals for construction of energy projects in Uganda as well as running mining projects in various countries.
In the past, China's drive to secure minerals, oil, and a place for its workers and industries to thrive has converged with Kenyan government plans to tap the potential of undeveloped regions.