Beijing, March 22nd—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation of National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Burundi, led by Reverien Ndikuriyo, Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD.  

Liu said, last year, China and Burundi jointly celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Xi Jinping met with President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who came to China to attend the Chengdu Universiade, reaching important consensus on the direction of the development of China-Burundi friendly cooperative relations in the new era. For a long time, the CPC and the CNDD-FDD have carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation with the goal of governing and rejuvenating the country. We are willing to work with the Burundian side to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, strengthen experience exchanges and mutual learning in party building and state governance in the process of modernization, firmly follow development paths suitable for respective national conditions, and continue to support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns. Both sides need to take the conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024 as an opportunity to promote close alignment of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Burundi's development visions, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, enhance friendly exchanges between the people, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.  

Ndikuriyo said, Burundi has long-term friendship with China, and the friendly cooperation between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The Burundian side highly appreciates China's valuable assistance for Burundi's economic and social development for a long time, which effectively improved the life of the Burundian people. The CNDD-FDD learnt experience from the CPC, both during the period of armed struggle and national construction. We are willing to strengthen experience exchange in state governance and administration with the CPC, especially drawing on the CPC's experience in leading the people to carry out targeted poverty alleviation, so as to help the country achieve its development goals in 2040 and 2060.  

Chen Zhou, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, was present.