China, Burundi pledge to dovetail development strategies, deepen cooperation

Chinese and Burundian leaders on Thursday pledged to dovetail the two countries' development strategies and deepen their cooperation, with a focus on areas such as agriculture and infrastructure.

The pledge was made during a meeting between Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao.

The Burundian president praised the ongoing cooperation between China and Burundi as being smooth and dynamic.

Nkurunziza also reiterated Burundi's support for the one-China policy, as well as China's stance on the South China Sea issue and the Korean Peninsula issue.

Hailing the deep-rooted friendship, mutual understanding and support between China and Burundi, Li said his trip was aimed at implementing the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nkurunziza during their meeting on the sidelines of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, in 2014.

China will work with Burundi to consolidate the basis of political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, enhance coordination on international affairs to vitalize bilateral friendly and cooperative relations, Li said.

China is delighted to see the improving situation in Burundi and supports related parties to solve differences via dialogue and consultation, Li said. Endi