Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has called for increased Chinese investment to boost the existing bilateral relations between the east African country and China.

While meeting China's Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng at State House, Nairobi on Monday, Kibaki singled out the improvement of the country's road network as an area which could benefit from Chinese investment and expertise.

"We welcome your participation in the improvement of our roads. Investment opportunities in this sector exist not only in Kenya but also in the whole region, particularly Sudan which has experienced decades of civil strife," Kibaki said.

The president said Kenya appreciated China's support particularly in economic and technical fields where China has become a leading development partner.

He thanked China for giving Kenya the preferred tourist destination status, which he said would further promote Kenya's tourism industry which is picking up after several years of slump.

On his part, the visiting Chinese assistant minister, who has been in the country to witness the signing of the comprehensive Sudan peace agreement, commended Kenya's role in the promotion of peace and stability in the region.

He said Kenya's leading role in the Sudan and Somalia peace processes has made the country popular not only in China but also in the international arena.