Xi meets Burundian president

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, July 28, 2023. Ndayishimiye is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHENGDU, July 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

Ndayishimiye is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China.

Xi said that China-Burundi relations have withstood the test of international changes and uncertainties, and the two countries are all-weather friends who share weal and woe and good partners respecting each other and developing together.

China firmly supports Burundi in upholding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in pursuing an independent and self-reliant development path, Xi said.

China is willing to strengthen exchanges of state governance experience with Burundi, Xi said, adding that China will accelerate the progress of major cooperation projects and support the early export of Burundi’s agricultural products to China.

He said China encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Burundi, and will help Burundi achieve food self-sufficiency and sustainable development.

China is willing to work with Burundi to jointly contribute to peace and stability in Africa, Xi said.

Noting that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Xi said the two sides need to strengthen unity and cooperation to safeguard the common interests of developing countries as well as international fairness and justice in a world that is facing multiple challenges and crises.

China is willing to provide new opportunities to African countries with its new development, and work with Africans to promote Belt and Road cooperation, align the Global Development Initiative with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and achieve common development and progress, said Xi.

Ndayishimiye said Burundi regards China as an all-weather cooperative partner for its national development, and firmly adheres to the one-China policy and considers Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.

Burundi firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by China, opposes double standards on human rights issues, and stands against interference in other countries’ internal affairs, he said.

Ndayishimiye expressed the hope to strengthen cooperation with China in agriculture, mining, animal husbandry and other fields.

Burundi is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China in regional and international affairs, strengthen Africa-China unity and cooperation, and build a more just and reasonable international order, he said.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting. ■