NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to promote the existing China-Kenya bilateral cooperation, the envoy said on Thursday.

Wu Peng, new Chinese ambassador to Kenya, said in an article published in the Standard newspaper that China-Kenya relations are standing at a higher stage with new development opportunities.

"As the new Chinese ambassador to Kenya, I will - based on the principal of mutual respect, equality and shared benefits - live up to my mission and take into full play the favorable conditions of 'good timing, right place and right people,'" Wu said in the article.

He stressed that China-Kenya relations have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Wu noted that the Second China International Import Expo is scheduled to be held in Shanghai in November, which will bring about another promotion opportunity for Kenyan coffee, tea, flowers and other agricultural and tourism products.

The envoy added that based on the common aspiration of the citizens of the two countries, China-Kenya pragmatic cooperation has been flourishing.

Infrastructure cooperation has covered various fields, including railways, roads, airports, ports, communication, housing, water supply and power, he said.

The Chinese envoy revealed that the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, as an early harvest of the Belt and Road Initiative, has been completed in advance and operated safely and smoothly.

Wu said in the article that China and Kenya are working closely on the construction of Mombasa Special Economic Zone and Naivasha Industrial park, which will benefit Kenya's industrialization.

Wu said that the recently signed Sanitary and Phytosanitary bilateral agreement is opening a new gate for the healthy development of bilateral trade.

He added that last year, China's non-financial direct investment in Kenya doubled to 52 billion shillings (about 520 million U.S. dollars).