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]