On May 7, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met in the Foreign Ministry with a visiting delegation of ministers from East African Community (EAC) member states headed by Eriya Kategaya, Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, and gave a dinner in their honor.

Zhai expressed welcome for the first visit to China by the EAC delegation and made positive comments on EAC's important role in pushing forward regional peace, stability and integration. He said China attaches importance to developing ties with EAC and is ready to further expand bilateral cooperation in all areas to promote common development.

Kategaya said China and East African Community (EAC) member states share firm political ties, expressing hope that both sides will further strengthen cooperation in economy and other areas. He hoped that China will participate in transportation, ports, water transport and other infrastructure construction as well as energy and resources development in East Africa.