Burundi–China relations

Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Burundi were established on December 21, 1963, under Chairman Mao Zedong and King Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng, respectively.[1] King Mwambutsa broke off diplomatic relations with China in 1965, although they were restored under Michel Micombero the first President of Burundi, on October 31, 1971.[1][2] Since then, China has provided development aid to Burundi, including helping with the construction of a textiles mill in Bujumbura.[1] As of 2002, China exported $2.718 worth of goods, while importing only $491,000 worth of goods from Burundi.[1] The current Chinese ambassador to Burundi is Feng Zhijun.[1][3]

Burundi – China relations
Map indicating locations of Burundi and China

Burundi

China
Embassy of Burundi in China

Diplomatic cooperation

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In 2019, China gifted a new $22 million presidential palace to the Burundi government.[4]: 26 

Burundi was one of 53 countries, that in June 2020, backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[5]

Economic Development

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Since the first Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2000, Beijing has delivered over $164 million in Official Development Assistance to Burundi.[6] This amount includes funds for the construction of a presidential palace, $9 million for construction of a hospital in Bubanza Province, and three debt cancellation agreements.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Burundi". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. October 12, 2003. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "People's Daily Online -- China hopes toenhance cooperation with Burundi: China's top political advisor". People's Daily. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  3. ^ "Chinese Embassy – Chinese Embassy in The Republic of Burundi". Chinese-Embassy.com. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  4. ^ Shinn, David H.; Eisenman, Joshua (2023). China's Relations with Africa: a New Era of Strategic Engagement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-21001-0.
  5. ^ Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b Austin Strange, Bradley C. Parks, Michael J. Tierney, Andreas Fuchs, Axel Dreher, and Vijaya Ramachandran. 2013. China's Development Finance to Africa: A Media-Based Approach to Data Collection. CGD Working Paper 323. Washington DC: Center for Global Development. http://aiddatachina.org/projects?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search=&active_string%5B%5D=Active&country_name%5B%5D=Burundi&scope_names%5B%5D=Official+Finance[permanent dead link]