The Communist Party of China Deputy Director-General Policy Planning (International Department of Central Committee), Dr. Jing Lu paid IREN a courtesy call in May 2012. He was accompanied by Qian Jin, Chief of Political Section, The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Nairobi.He was received by the Director Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) Mr. James Shikwati. The informal session also included Mr. Ephraim Kanake- Chairman Consumer Federation of Kenya, Rubina Haroon - Pan Africa Senior Policy Advisor at WWF, and Mr. George Nyongesa - National Coordinator Mbunge La Mwananchi.The discussions centered on the need to nurture a culture of self criticism and to seek a better understanding of Kenya, Africa and China.