In an exclusive interview granted to the editorial staff of the newspaper Burundi Eco, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Burundi said he was satisfied with the cooperation between the two countries. She reviews the main lines of cooperation in the field of health, socio-economic infrastructure and the convincing results in the agricultural sector.

« Sino-Burundian friendly relations are characterized by deep political mutual trust and firm support in international affairs on issues that touch on both sides’ vital interests and major concerns. “, indicates Mrs. Zhao Jiangping, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Burundi.

This mutual political trust is an asset to expand win-win cooperation in various fields. The field of socio-economic infrastructure rhymes with the initiative ” the belt et the road” launched in 2013 by Chinese President XI Jinping. Thus, Burundi has signed a cooperation agreement with China to participate in this initiative like 52 African countries.

Technology transfer

To reduce the energy deficit, China has just completed a 15 MW hydroelectric plant. This infrastructure erected on the Ruzibazi River was inaugurated in September 2022. “ For the moment, a technical team has been dispatched to effectively guarantee the operation and maintenance of the three hydroelectric power stations, namely: the Mugere power station, the Ruvyironza power station and the Gikonge power station. Chinese experts are working in partnership with Burundian technicians who, To in turn, will be able to ensure the maintenance of this type of infrastructure “, explains Ms. Zhao Jiangping.

Inauguration of the hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 15 MW built with financing from China (September 2022) (Photo: Ntare house).

For the national road N diversion project^o 1, China has just finalized the tender for this project. The selected Chinese company will begin preparations to start work around the third quarter of this year. Regarding the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport rehabilitation and extension project, the two parties fixed this project by an exchange of letters in February 2022. The Chinese management company will send experts to Bujumbura next May. ” The works will cover the renovation of the runway and parking areas, the construction of a control and administration tower, the supply of air traffic control, communication and meteorological equipment said Ms. Zhao Jiangping.

A shared vision on food security

Regarding the programs to be put in place to improve food security, the two Heads of State share the same vision. Chinese President XI Jinping stressed that a country like China should “provide the people with their daily bowl of rice”. Just like what President Ndayishimiye said: “every mouth must have something to eat”.

To share experience and support the Burundian government’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency, China has since 2009 dispatched a total of 45 agronomists to Burundi for five consecutive cooperation missions.

Practice of modern agricultural techniques

the 5^th technical cooperation mission (from March 2021 to March 2023) has achieved encouraging successes. China brings its research expertise to multiply selected seeds. Chinese agronomists have already selected 13 varieties of hybrid rice, 7 of which have been approved by competent services in Burundi.

Visit of the Head of State to the Center at the Gihanga agricultural techniques demonstration center supported by the Chinese Embassy in Burundi (August 19, 2021)

In addition, the Gihanga agricultural pilot center distributed in July 2022 to 11 cooperatives in 5 provinces 13 tons of CIBUC0 1 seeds, a high-performance and resistant variety once morest pyriculariose which is rampant in mountainous regions, rejoices Ms. Zhao Jiangping.

From demonstration villages to agricultural micro-credit

China is contributing its expertise in agricultural financing via a purely community approach. The center provides farmers with seeds and fertilizers and supports them throughout the season. After the harvest, the farmers put money in a special account for the subsequent purchase of inputs. ” Chinese experts have combined food security with the task of helping the population rural to get rid of poverty by creating a productive investment fund to develop hybrid rice cultivation in the village of Buringa 4 in the commune of Gihanga », explains the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Burundi.

This model was popularized in 22 demonstration villages in 14 provinces. And until March 2023, the area allocated to rice cultivation in the demonstration villages has reached 4,000 hectares. Yield from these fields increased by 15,000 tons and rice farmers’ income increased by USD 7.5 million.

A dozen young people trained in agricultural techniques

To sustain the achievements, the Chinese experts organized technical training for 3,050 people and 48 young people benefited from an 18-month comprehensive vocational training. They currently act as agricultural monitors in 22 demonstration villages in the country. The 6^th cooperation mission will include 10 Chinese agronomists. It will focus on experiments, demonstrations in the fields of rice, maize and edible mushrooms, poultry farming, aquaculture and research on the local production of hybrid rice seeds. . ” The Chinese side hopes to continue to support the Burundian sidee in improving food security “, she announces.

Chinese doctors at the bedside of the populations

At a time when Burundi is facing the massive departure of doctors to other countries, Ms. Jiangping talks regarding the mobility of labor which is tending to become widespread on a global scale. Canadian and Australian doctors migrate to the United States or join Europe, she comments.

However, this does not prevent China from making its contribution to strengthening the Burundian health system. ” Since 1987, the Chinese province of Qinghai has sent 21 medical missions with a total of 459 people. Now 29 Chinese doctors worknt in 3 Burundian hospitals in providing free medical care to the local population reveals Ms. Zhao Jiangping.

Hospital twinning to improve population health

To set up “a health community for humanity” launched by President Xi Jinping and to strengthen Burundi’s health care capacities, a twinning system has been established between Gitega hospital and Qinghai. From 2022, online and practical training have been organized in order to reduce maternal, neonatal and infant-child mortality. This model of cooperation has helped build the capacity of local medical personnel and improve the quality of health care in the country.

In addition, China has offered scholarships to Burundian students to study medicine in China, learn medical skills and then return home to serve their country. In this logic of supporting the education sector, China offered a donation of 3 basic schools, a higher institute (the Ecole Normale Supérieure), and a vocational training center in Kigobe. In addition to scholarships, China plans to organize bilateral and multilateral seminars to build human resource capacity. ” 40 University of Burundi students from poor families will benefit from academic fees as part of the “Chinese Ambassador’s Award” to be launched soon », assure Mme Zhao Jiangping.