BUJUMBURA March 22nd (ABP) – The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burundi, Mrs. Zhao Jiangping handed over on Tuesday, March 21, 2021, on behalf of the Chinese government, food aid consisting of 591.5 tons of rice to the government of Burundi.
On that occasion, Mrs. Zhao Jiangping said that China has noted that like other countries in the world, Burundi has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, the effects of climate change, regional and international conflicts, and others. To deal with those challenges, the government of Burundi has made great efforts to increase agricultural production and transform production to ensure food security.
The government of the People’s Republic of China appreciated the efforts of the government of Burundi as a friend and partner, according to the Chinese ambassador. Thus, that country offered that food aid donation to support Burundi in the fight against poverty and ensure food security. She did not fail to point out that the Head of State of the Republic of China and Head of State of the Republic of Burundi share the same vision that “every mouth must have something to eat”. She also said that China has emphasized agricultural cooperation as a framework for bilateral cooperation. “As China has completed the 5th phase of technical cooperation on agriculture, that country intends to start the 6th phase which will focus on selected seeds of rice, maize, mushrooms and also research on local production of hybrid rice seeds, said Mrs. Jiangping.
During the 60 years of relations between China and Burundi, China intends to work in synergy with the competent Burundian services for the implementation of 9 programs launched within the framework of China-Africa cooperation. She cited the program for poverty alleviation, trade and investment promotion, development and others. The Chinese side undertakes to conduct close cooperation for the implementation of those programs to ensure the food security of the two countries and for the well-being of the Burundian and Chinese peoples.
For her part, the Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender, Mrs. Imelde Sabushimike, praised that donation offered by China. She said that it will lighten the burden on the vulnerable people that the government is called upon to assist, especially at this time when food prices are going up due to poor harvests in recent growing seasons. That food donation will not only make it possible to cope with the transition between this sowing period and the dry season harvests, but also to allow the vulnerable beneficiaries of that assistance to work with energy and go about their daily activities peacefully, without worrying about finding enough to feed their families. The Minister said that this aid is a total of 910 tons of rice and that the first batch of 591.5 tons has just been received and that there are 318.5 tons still remaining in Dar Es Salam, hoping that the latter will be delivered within the agreed time.