On the morning of September 6, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-Burundi relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping pointed out that over the years, China-Burundi relations have stood the test of changes in the international landscape and become true partners who respect each other and seek common development, and good brothers who share weal and woe and fight shoulder to shoulder. Continuously promoting bilateral relations is in the interests of both countries, and is of exemplary significance for Global South countries to seek strength through unity. The FOCAC Beijing Summit has set the direction for the development of China-Africa relations in the next stage, injected new impetus into joint China-Africa efforts to advance modernization, and marked a new milestone in the history of China-Africa relations. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that the two countries will take the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC summit as an opportunity to further promote the development of China-Burundi relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that China supports Burundi in opposing external interference and pursuing an independent development path. China is ready to work with Burundi to continue to firmly support each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. China is ready to strengthen experience sharing and cooperation on capacity building with Burundi in areas such as reform and development, rural revitalization and poverty alleviation, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields including infrastructure, agriculture, economy and trade. China is ready to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to consolidate the foundation of traditional friendship. Xi Jinping extended congratulations to Burundi on its election as the Chairman of the 3rd Commission for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. China will strengthen international coordination with Burundi to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Evariste Ndayishimiye said that he has a deep and wonderful impression of his attendance at the opening ceremony of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games last year and his meeting with President Xi Jinping. It gives him great pleasure to visit again China, a beautiful and friendly country. He extended congratulations to China on successfully hosting the FOCAC Beijing Summit. He said that Burundi fully supports the Ten Partnership Actions announced by President Xi Jinping to advance Africa-China modernization and highly appreciates a series of major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping including building a community with a shared future for mankind. Burundi-China relations are based on shared values and ideals. Like China, the Burundian government is also committed to advancing industrialization and agricultural modernization so that its people can live a better life, and China's support and cooperation are crucial. More Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest in Burundi and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in mining, agriculture, infrastructure and other fields. Burundi firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and cooperation with China.
During the summit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as the Belt and Road Cooperation plan, economic partnership for common development, agricultural cooperation and the export of coffee beans to China.
Wang Yi was present at the meeting.
