All the pieces it is advisable to learn about Sino-Burundian cooperation

Earlier than the following summit of the Discussion board on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for September 4 to six in Beijing, ZHAO Jiangping, Ambassador of the Individuals’s Republic of China to Burundi, takes inventory of the achievements of cooperation between China and Burundi in varied fields. This was throughout a press convention held on Friday August 23, 2024 at his house in Bujumbura. Sectors akin to agriculture, well being, schooling, safety and the media have attracted the eye of Burundi Eco

Amb. ZHAO Jiangping: “Since 2015, Professor Yang Huade has led a staff of specialists to unravel historic issues akin to rice blight and leaf chlorosis. »

In keeping with Amb. ZHAO Jiangping, China-Burundian relations have maintained vigorous growth momentum lately, characterised by frequent high-level exchanges and detailed cooperation.

“In July 2023, Xi Jinping, President of the Individuals’s Republic of China, declared throughout his assembly with Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, that the connection between China and Burundi has stood the take a look at of time and modifications within the worldwide state of affairs. . The 2 international locations are very long time associates, sharing good instances and unhealthy. They’re good companions who respect one another and develop collectively,” he explains.

He added: “China firmly helps the nation in safeguarding its nationwide independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It opposes interference from exterior forces and helps the nation in pursuing impartial growth. China is able to proceed to firmly and collectively assist the nation on points affecting the core pursuits of either side. That is to attain the next stage of mutual profit, a win-win state of affairs and customary growth. »

Agricultural support to scale back poverty

“Since 2015, Professor Yang Huade has led a staff of specialists to unravel historic issues akin to rice blight and leaf chlorosis,” mentioned Amb. ZHAO Jiangping. By implementing a seed challenge, Chinese language specialists have made it doable to extend the rice yield within the nation from 2 tonnes per hectare to round 9 to 10 tonnes per hectare.

“They’ve established 56 mannequin villages for poverty discount, the primary of which has already been lifted out of poverty. They’ve additionally skilled greater than 110 younger leaders,” he explains.

China’s illustration in Burundi says that with the assistance of Chinese language know-how and specialists, complete rice manufacturing within the nation has elevated by 365% in three years, benefiting greater than 30,000 individuals.

“At present, the sixth agricultural skilled staff continues to discover completely different areas, akin to rising fruit timber, selecting good seeds, rising mushrooms and breeding poultry, to arrange extra instruments for agricultural growth and poverty discount,” he provides. .

The well being sector within the eyes of Chinese language assist

Amb. ZHAO Jiangping remembers that in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, China offered eight batches of anti-pandemic supplies to Prince Regent Charles Hospital.

“Throughout the first half of this 12 months, the primary dental workplace was established in a Burundian public hospital on the Prince Régent Charles hospital. In July, the twenty-third Chinese language medical staff arrived within the nation to start their companies,” he mentioned, including that these medical groups will not be restricted to hospitals.

In addition they present medical companies within the hills. Since 2016, the groups have organized a number of free medical consultations and operated on nearly 500 sufferers freed from cost.

And continues: “In 37 years, 515 members of Chinese language medical groups have handled a million sufferers and skilled greater than 1,000 native well being professionals, thus contributing to the event of the well being system. »

As well as, China has collaborated with the nation within the battle in opposition to AIDS. Lately, Professor Peng Liyuan has labored carefully with the workplace of the First Woman of Burundi to assist efforts to battle AIDS.

Assist within the schooling sector

Amb. ZHAO Jiangping says that yearly China gives 60 authorities scholarships to the nation and lots of of locations for brief seminars.

“The Kamenge coaching middle, a challenge supported by China, has skilled lots of of skilled craftsmen. Then they created their very own companies,” she underlines, earlier than including that China has additionally constructed vocational faculties, a complicated regular college and three friendship main faculties, whereas supporting the “College Canteen” challenge initiated by the First Woman.

She additionally notes that the Confucius Institute of the College of Burundi, which is celebrating its twelfth anniversary this 12 months, has skilled hundreds of younger Burundians for change between China and Burundi in varied fields.

“This 12 months, the Chinese language Embassy in Burundi collaborated with varied Burundian organizations to prepare a Chinese language movie week, the “Friendship Cup” desk tennis match and different cultural and sports activities actions,” he provides.

Police and army cooperation on the rise

Amb. ZHAO Jiangping informs that Xu Dazhong, the Vice Minister of Public Safety of China met with the Burundian authorities in the course of the twenty fifth annual assembly of the East African Police Chiefs Group, held in Burundi final 12 months. Final Might, Martin Niteretse, the minister accountable for inside safety, and Wang Xiaohong, his Chinese language counterpart, signed a memorandum of understanding on police cooperation.

He added: “This 12 months, China will proceed to strengthen its ties with the nation in addition to with EAPCCO within the subject of public safety. As well as, following the Covid-19 pandemic, army coaching packages for Burundian personnel have resumed, with almost 30 Burundian troopers touring to China in September to take part in army coaching. »

Materials assist, change of experiences and coaching within the media subject

Amb. ZHAO Jiangping mentioned that the Chinese language Embassy in Burundi not solely gives materials assist to its media companions, but in addition encourages the change of expertise between Burundian and Chinese language media officers. She says she has organized capability constructing initiatives for native journalists.

“China will proceed to advertise expertise change and capability constructing, together with rising the variety of short-term and long-term internships in China, organizing extra specialised coaching, and sharing expertise within the transition from conventional to new media, particularly selling new sorts of media like brief movies,” she concludes.

He additionally introduced: “This 12 months, China and Burundi have signed or are about to signal digital and broadcast cooperation agreements, and proceed to implement these agreements, selling collaboration within the media subject. »

Mr. XIAO Guofeng, the financial and industrial adviser of the Chinese language Embassy in Burundi, mentioned in flip that the nation can profit from the benefits supplied by China in commerce, particularly tax exemptions for merchandise which might be exported. He suggests prioritizing the export of tea and low to China.

The Discussion board on China-Africa Cooperation will likely be held for the fourth time within the type of a summit, with the theme: “Working collectively to advertise modernization and construct a high-level Sino-African group with a shared future.”