Ahead of the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for September 4-6 in Beijing, ZHAO Jiangping, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burundi, takes stock of the achievements of cooperation between China and Burundi in various fields. This was during a press conference held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at his residence in Bujumbura. Sectors such as agriculture, health, education, security and media attracted the attention of Burundi Eco
Amb. ZHAO Jiangping: “Since 2015, Professor Yang Huade has led a team of experts to solve historical problems such as rice blight and leaf chlorosis.”
According to Amb. ZHAO Jiangping, Sino-Burundian relations have maintained a vigorous development momentum in recent years, characterized by frequent exchanges at the highest level and in-depth cooperation.
“In July 2023, Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, said during his meeting with Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, that the relations between China and Burundi have stood the test of time and changes in the international situation. The two countries are long-time friends, sharing good times and bad. They are good partners who respect each other and develop together,” she explained.
She added: “China firmly supports the country in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It opposes interference by external forces and supports the country in pursuing independent development. It is ready to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning the core interests of both sides, so as to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit, win-win situation and common development.”
Agricultural support to reduce poverty
“Since 2015, Professor Yang Huade has led a team of experts to solve historical problems such as rice blight and leaf chlorosis,” said Amb. ZHAO Jiangping. Through the implementation of a seed project, Chinese experts have helped increase rice yield in the country from 2 tons per hectare to about 9 to 10 tons per hectare.
“They have established 56 model villages for poverty reduction, the first of which has already been lifted out of poverty. They have also trained more than 110 young leaders,” she said.
China’s representation in Burundi said that with the help of Chinese technology and experts, the country’s total rice production has increased by 365 percent in three years, benefiting more than 30,000 people.
“Currently, the sixth team of agricultural experts continues to explore various fields, such as fruit tree cultivation, good seed selection, mushroom cultivation and poultry breeding, in order to prepare more tools for agricultural development and poverty reduction,” she added.
The health sector in the sights of Chinese support
Amb. ZHAO Jiangping recalled that during the Covid-19 pandemic, China provided eight batches of anti-pandemic materials to Prince Regent Charles Hospital.
“In the first half of this year, the first dental office in a Burundian public hospital was inaugurated at Prince Regent Charles Hospital. In July, the twenty-third Chinese medical team arrived in the country to begin its services,” she said, adding that these medical teams are not limited to hospitals.
They also provide medical services in the hills. Since 2016, the teams have organized several free medical consultations and operated on nearly 500 patients free of charge.
He continued: “In 37 years, 515 members of Chinese medical teams have treated one million patients and trained more than 1,000 local health professionals, thus contributing to the development of the health system.”
In addition, China has been cooperating with the country in the fight against AIDS. In recent years, Professor Peng Liyuan has worked closely with the Office of the First Lady of Burundi to support AIDS efforts.
Support in the educational sector
Amb. ZHAO Jiangping says that every year, China provides the country with 60 government scholarships and hundreds of places for short-term seminars.
“The Kamenge training center, a project supported by China, has trained hundreds of specialized craftsmen. They have then created their own businesses,” she emphasizes, before adding that China has also built vocational schools, a higher teacher training college and three friendship primary schools, while supporting the “School Canteen” project initiated by the First Lady.
She also said that the Confucius Institute at the University of Burundi, which is celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, has trained thousands of young Burundians for exchanges between China and Burundi in various fields.
“This year, the Chinese Embassy in Burundi has collaborated with various Burundian organizations to organize the Chinese Film Week, the “Friendship Cup” table tennis tournament and other cultural and sports activities,” she added.
Police and military cooperation expanding
Amb. ZHAO Jiangping informs that Xu Dazhong, Vice Minister of Public Security of China met with Burundian authorities on the 25th annual meeting of the East African Police Chiefs Organization, held in Burundi last year. In May, Martin Niteretse, Minister in charge of internal security, and Wang Xiaohong, his Chinese counterpart, signed a memorandum of understanding on police cooperation.
He added: “This year, China will continue to strengthen its ties with the country as well as with EAPCCO in the field of public security. In addition, after the Covid-19 pandemic, military training programs for Burundian personnel have resumed, with nearly 30 Burundian military personnel traveling to China in September to participate in military training.”
Material support, exchange of experiences and training in the media field
Amb. ZHAO Jiangping said that the Chinese Embassy in Burundi has not only provided material support to its media partners, but also encouraged experience exchanges between Burundian and Chinese media officials. She said that she has organized capacity-building projects for local journalists.
“China will continue to promote experience exchanges and capacity building, including increasing the number of short- and long-term internships in China, organizing more specialized training courses, and sharing its experience in the transition from traditional media to new media, especially the promotion of new types of media such as short videos,” she concluded.
She also announced: “This year, China and Burundi have signed or are about to sign digital and broadcasting cooperation agreements, and continue to implement these agreements, advancing collaboration in the media field.”
Mr. XIAO Guofeng, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Burundi, indicated in turn that the country can take advantage of the advantages offered by China in trade, including tax and duty exemptions for exported products. He suggests prioritizing the export of tea and coffee to China.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held for the fourth time in the form of a summit, with the theme of “Working together to promote modernization and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.”
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