On Friday, 20^th November, 2020, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Cheboi, CBS, MP led a delegation from  National Assembly in a Virtual Conference between the National Assembly of Kenya and the National People’s Congress (NPC ) of the People’s Republic of China. The delegation from China was led by H.E. Mr. Cao Jianming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC .

The conference themed "Strengthening Parliamentary Exchanges to Promote Mutual Development" explored a number of areas of collaboration including how the two countries can partner on the fight against Covid-19 and in the formulation of economic recovery strategies post-pandemic while addressing the huge trade imbalance between the two countries.

The lawmakers also deliberated ways of enhancing Kenya-China relations under the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC); a multilateral cooperation between China and African Countries and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Addressing the opening session of the forum, the Deputy Speaker expressed his appreciation for the prevailing strong and sustained parliamentary relations between the two legislatures. He noted that in support of the ongoing efforts on the fight against COVID-19, it is imperative that the two nations collaborate to improve the health infrastructure, provide technical and medical support on diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients as well as co-operate on capacity building of parliamentary members and staff.

He expressed gratitude on behalf the Government of Kenya for China's extended support to Kenya towards the containment of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

"Following our cordial mutual relations, China has extended support to Kenya in terms of medical supplies and equipment towards the containment of Covid-19, which is highly appreciated", he noted.

While acknowledging that the Chinese Government had managed the Pandemic well, the Kenyan delegation was keen to hear from their counterparts the measures they had put in place in the fight against the virus.

On his part, Vice Chairman of NPC, H.E. Cao Jianming reaffirmed the commitment of his Government in maintaining the strong and unbreakable China- Kenya friendship both at the Executive level as well as between the two Legislatures.

The Chinese delegation submitted that their Country has managed to control COVID-19 by implementing a very elaborate COVID-19 control strategy, including early detection, testing, cessation of movement, isolation and treatment. The delegation also attributed the success in Covid-19 containment to good will and great cooperation across the Chinese society. The two teams agreed to strengthen their partnership in combating not only the current pandemic but also future pandemics.

Participating Members from the National Assembly further noted that there’s need for international cooperation in the global governance of public health and that the global community must as far as possible be prepared in the event another pandemic breaks out.

To give new impetus to the China-Kenya relationship and ensure sustainable development, the Chinese delegation undertook to offer more direct investments in infrastructure development, E-commerce, manufacturing and to initiate Business to Business partnerships. This is in a bid to create employment among the Kenyan youth while offering mentorship to start-ups.

 Moving forward the two delegations agreed to deepen and maintain friendship through increased parliamentary exchanges under the auspices of the China-Kenya Friendship Group.

The Kenyan delegation led by Hon. Cheboi comprised of the Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Maoka Maore, Hon. Shakeel Shabbir (Chair, Kenya-China Friendship Group), Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose, Hon. Esther Passaris, Hon. Beatrice Adagala, Hon. Sophia Abdi Noor and Hon. Chachu Ganya.