species. In his book Origin of the Species, Charles Robert Darwin noted that the East African Great Rift Valley is very likely to be the cradle of humankind. The theory is widely supported by most paleoanthropologists today. However, on the issue of whether human beings originated in one center or several centers, no consensus has been reached.

According to Jin Changzhu, research fellow with the CAS Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, East African Great Rift Valley is one of the most important centers for paleoanthropology archaeological studies. In 2000, French and Kenyan scientists had a series of important discoveries in paleoanthropology archaeological studies in the valley, including the "Millennium Men" in the Tugen Hills of Kenya 6 million years ago. Through studying the fossils, scientists found that these "Millennium Men" had strong leg muscles and could walk vertically. Their teeth and chin structures were very close to modern people.

Before the discovery of "Millennium Men," scientists believed the world's earliest known human being is Lucy, a 1.06-meter-high female ape who was on the stage of developing to human form 3 million years ago. Meanwhile, the human fossil 2.5 million years ago discovered near Lake Turkana in northern East African Great Rift Valley was also regarded as one of the ancestors of humans. But the discovery of "Millennium Men" extended the history of humans by several million years.

China's connection with Africa

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese navigator Zheng He reached East Africa. But it is still under discussion where Zheng's fleets, carrying silk and porcelain wares, actually docked. Chinese scientists on the exploration found that there were many legends about Zheng in Kenya, as well as large quantities of China's ancient porcelain wares. According to historical data, China's first giraffe was brought by Zheng He from East Africa.

Chinese history books clearly noted that Zheng set off to the west seven times, reaching more than 30 countries in Asia and Africa. The furthest place of Zheng's navigation was Malindi and Mombasa Port in Kenya south of the equator in Africa's east coast. It remains one of the greatest feats in world navigation history.

Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya, is one of the places where archaeologists discovered the largest number of ancient Chinese porcelain wares. In the Fort Jesus Museum, the largest museum in Mombasa, large quantities of pictures and antiques relating to East African trade and navigation history are displayed. Among the antiques, Chinese porcelain ware accounts for the majority, reflecting the indissoluble bond between China and East Africa.

Located in the southeast coast of Kenya, Mombasa was originally constructed by Arabians. As early as the ninth century, Arabians from Oman started to settle down around this port city. Before the 19th century, the port witnessed large numbers of sailing vessels from Persia, India and Europe coming to the city for business between December and January. In 1405, Zheng led a large fleet on his pioneering trip to the west, via west Pacific and Indian oceans to West Asia and the east coast of Africa, including Mombasa, which is evidenced by the large number of Chinese porcelain wares and ancient Chinese coins unearthed in the city. Six hundred years ago, Zheng came to Kenya for expedition, discovery and friendship. Today, with advanced information technology and continental transportation, the peoples in China and Kenya should further strengthen friendly exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendships to continue improving bilateral relations.