Burundi President praises China as a faithful, reliable friend

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said on Tuesday that the partnership between Burundi and China is the most dynamic of his country's partnerships with other countries.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza speaks to Chinese media during an interview on February 6, 2018 in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi. [Photo: China Plus / Xing Yihang]

The comment was made by Nkurunziza in an interview with Chinese media on the Burundi-China partnership. Nkurunziza said that the cooperation between the two countries is based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefits. He also praised China as being a faithful and reliable friend.

According to statistics from the Chinese Embassy in Burundi, trade between the two countries reached 46 million U.S. dollars in 2015. China imports a large amount of coffee and tea from Burundi, and exports telecommunication products, textiles, and computers to the African nation.

Nkurunziza said China is a true friend because the country has always stood by the Burundian people even during the most difficult times in the past, and China actively supports Burundi in the international community.

On the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, Nkurunziza send the Chinese people his best wishes. He expressed his hopes that this year would be another dynamic one for relations between the two countries.