Chinese top legislator Li Peng arrived in Nairobi on Monday afternoon for an official good-will visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties between China and Kenya and exchanging views with Kenyan leaders on international issues of common concern.

Li, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), was warmly welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Kenya's National Assembly Speaker Francis Kaparo, six cabinet ministers and other high-ranking Kenyan officials.

During his four-day visit to the east African country, Li is to hold talks with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi and Speaker Kaparo.

Sino-Kenyan relations have developed smoothly with fruitful economic cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963. Last year, the trade volume between the two countries reached 119 million US dollars.

Kenya is the third leg of Li's six-nation Afro-Asian tour, which he said aimed to "deepen understanding, enhance trust, promote friendship and expand co-operation" with African countries.

He has visited Mauritius and South Africa, and will visit Israel, Palestine and Oman.