BUJUMBURA January 17th (ABP) – The Chinese Embassy to Burundi, celebrated on Sunday, January 15, 2023, the Chinese Lunar New Year. This festival is the most important of all Chinese festivals. In the Chinese lunar calendar this year is dedicated to the rabbit and will begin on the 21st.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Mr. Ferdinand Bashikako, congratulated the Chinese people for this coming year. He was delighted with the excellent relations between the two countries, thus praising China’s commitment to the country’s development. He cited the construction of the hydroelectric power station received by the President of the Republic on September 6, 2022 and the establishment of an agricultural pilot center to increase agricultural production by combating food insecurity through the introduction of rice varieties.
For the current year, he announced that the implementation of priority projects financed by China is expected. These include the bypass of the RN1; the modernization and expansion of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport. He commended “China’s cancellation of the debt of interest-free loans maturing in late 2021 for African countries including Burundi”. In the same vein, Mr. Bashikako said that the government of Burundi appreciates the announcement made by China to offer food aid to Burundi to face the challenges of climate change. The 1st batch is expected in March 2023. Mr. Bashikako thus reiterated Burundi’s determination to work together with China to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation.
The Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, Mrs. Wang Yuan, pointed out that Chinese relations over the past year have risen to a very high level. Achievements speak for themselves, she said. Alongside the already operational Ruzibazi hydroelectric power station, which provides 30% of the electricity distributed in Bujumbura City Council, she mentioned agricultural cooperation through the introduction of more resistant rice varieties. In that regard, a donation of 23 tons of improved rice seeds was offered to Burundi as part of the year of agriculture. Alongside this, she mentioned the traditional cooperation in the medical field, with supporting figures. For the year 2022, 47 cataract patients regained their sight, 1747 operations were performed.
At the level of education, Mrs. Wang mentioned the important role played by the Confucius Institute of the University of Burundi, in cultural exchanges between the two countries, the training provided to young Burundians at the craft training center of Kamenge, without forgetting the training of 50 local technicians at the Professional Training School of Kigobe.
For Mrs. Wang, the coming year is the “60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Burundian diplomatic relations”. With regard to the new year, she added: “China and Burundi will work together to create a brighter future”. Mrs. Wang explained in that regard that the Chinese Embassy to Burundi, in collaboration with the Burundian side, “intends to bring Sino-Burundian cooperation to a new level”.