China and Africa on Thursday enhanced their scientific collaboration with the launch of Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre at a local university.

Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto, the Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Tian Lin, and the Deputy Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Qiu Huasheng attended the ground breaking ceremony of the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre.

In his remarks, Ruto hailed the Sino-Africa cooperation in science, technology and innovations to accelerate the continent's socio-economic transformation.

"Science and technology has been the bedrock of great civilizations and has a critical role in shaping our future," Ruto said, noting that Kenya will be a hub for research and innovations, thanks to China's support.

Kenya will host the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre funded by the Chinese government to invigorate scientific and technological progress in the continent.

According to Tian Lin, the research centre aims at "conducting mutually beneficial cooperation" with relevant African countries in various areas such as biodiversity conservation, ecological environment, desertification combating and etc.

Qiu Huasheng said China will extend technical and financial support to propel sustainable development in Africa.

"The establishment of a joint research center marks an important milestone in Sino-Africa cooperation. It will help address bottlenecks to sustainable development in Africa," Qiu said, adding that 24 young Africans are currently studying in China, supported by CAS scholarship, and "a series of joint scientific investigations were organized in biodiversity and lake ecology conservation" between the two countries.

Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) will host the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre and its affiliated 40-acre botanical garden.

Besides the joint research Centre, China has financed the establishment of a Botanical garden in Kenya to strengthen collaborative research in biodiversity conservation, water management, desert control and modern farming. (Xinhua)