China supports Burundi's independent, sustainable development

APD NEWS

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China supports Burundi's pursuit of independent and sustainable development, and seeks to upgrade bilateral friendly and cooperative relations, visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said here Thursday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with Burundian First Vice-President Gaston Sindimwo and Second Vice-President Joseph Butore.

Li said the China-Burundi relationship is at its best time in history, enjoying high political mutual trust, fruitful economic and trade cooperation as well as close people-to-people exchanges.

China would like to turn the three advantages into an impetus for advancing pragmatic cooperation with Burundi and bringing fruits to benefit the two peoples by working together with Burundi to deepen cooperation and dovetail their development strategies, Li said.

China will make great efforts to help Burundi solve its three development bottlenecks, namely, food shortages, underdeveloped infrastructure and a lack of skilled workers, the vice president added.

Following its African policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, as well as the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit, China will work with Burundi to implement more outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, he said.

For their part, the Burundian vice presidents said they appreciate China's support for Burundi's sovereignty and territorial integrity and Burundi agrees with China's stance on many global and regional issues.

Burundi hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as personnel training, medical treatment and construction of hydropower stations, they said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)