The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Justin Muturi this morning hosted a delegation from the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) (The equivalent of a House of Parliament) led by the Vice -Chairman, NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Chen Guomin. 

The delegation made up of several members of the People's Congress representing various Committees of the Congress, and which has been in the country for the last two days at the invitation of Parliament of Kenya, has had interactions geared on advancing parliamentary diplomacy with the National Assembly Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations, and the Kenya- China Friendship Group.

Speaking when he received them, Speaker Muturi acknowledged that the Kenya- China relations had grown steadily and asked for deeper cooperation between the respective Houses of Representatives for the sake of their people's development. He lauded the recent Trade Expo held in Shanghai China a few days ago, where several Kenyan products were showcased in an event that also saw the Kenyan Delegation led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, sign trade agreements that will see a number of Kenyan agricultural products access the Chinese market.

He promised the delegation that the House would consider three bilateral treaties that are awaiting ratification once the executive passes them  on to Parliament, for that process. The treaties were signed by the two governments a few months ago. The delegation head Mr. Guomin had expressed concerns to Speaker Muturi, following a delay in the ratification.

The three treaties are: "Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation", "Treaty on Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya",  and " Treaty on Extradiction between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya".

The delegation also urged the National Assembly to consider enacting a comprehensive legislation to address the development of railways in the Country. Speaker Muturi however observed that for an effective legislative proposal, input from the Company that runs the Standard Gauge Railway in conjuction with Kenya Railways, would be crucial.

Their deliberations also also centered on the development of a favourable trade balance between the two countries, and the need for technology transfer in regards to expert projects  currently being run by Chinese nationals and which have been a major concern among Members of Parliament. Hon. Goumin reiterated his government's commitment in supporting Kenya's Vision 2030, and the Jubilee Government's Big Four Agenda . 

 Other members in the delegation were Hon. Liu Xiuwen- Financial and Economic Committee, Hon. Zhou Min- Ethnic Affairs Committee, Qi Lujiang, Deputy Director -General, office of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Yuan Guoping and Lu Yongjie from the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee.