A reception was held here Thursday to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Kenya ties, with both sides pledging to enhance cooperation in trade and investment.

The reception, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), the Chinese-African People's Friendship Association (CAPFA) and Kenya's embassy in China, also marked the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence from Britain on Dec. 12, 1963.

CPAFFC Vice President Feng Zuoku congratulated Kenya on its jubilee celebration and told the reception China and Kenya enjoyed a long history of traditional friendship, which had developed steadily and healthily.

"The bilateral high-level exchanges have become more frequent, mutual political trust has been increased and cooperation in various fields has been deepened," he said.

Both sides maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs and always supported each other on the issues related to their core and major interests, he pointed out.

China was willing to work together with Kenya to continue depeening bilateral cooperation, and make efforts to seek new way to cooperate in the fields of economics, trade, agriculture and infrastructure construction, he said.

Kenya ambassodor to China Michael Kinyanjui, for his part, said: "The recent successful state visit to China this year by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta underscores the ever-growing ties between the two countries."

Kenya and China were poised to grow and expand their cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, including trade in services, infrustructure, energy generations and distribution, tourism, civil aviation and manpower development, he said.

About 100 officials, diplomats and scholars from China and Kenya attended the event. Also present at the reception were representatives from Mali, Guinea and several other countries.

China established diplomatic relations with Kenya on Dec. 14, 1963.

The bilateral relationship was ungraded to a comprehensive and cooperative partnership during Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to China in August. Endi