Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, received in audience Her Excellency Mrs. Zhao Jiangping , Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burundi.
The Ambassador extended her gratitude to Burundi for supporting China’s principles regarding the Southern Sea issue, both at the Non-Aligned Movement summit and at the 79th United Nations General Assembly held on October 19, 2025, in New York. Cooperation between nations is essential for international solidarity in the face of global challenges.
They then discussed several points of cooperation, including:
- Burundi’s request for support from the International Mediation Organization, a Chinese initiative aimed at resolving conflicts between States, thereby promoting peace and stability internationally.
- The request for support for the Chinese initiative on international security, adopted at the 79 th United Nations General Assembly held on October 19, 2025, which aims to strengthen cooperation on international security by promoting dialogue and establishing concrete mechanisms to address global challenges.
- China has requested support for its nomination for First Vice-President at the Interpol General Assembly session to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, in November. This is a crucial event for addressing international security issues and police cooperation among member states. China will initiate discussions and informal meetings on this resolution to reach a broader consensus for its adoption next year.
Regarding all these requests for support, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation reaffirmed that the Burundian Government will always support China and that diplomatic missions will work in close collaboration with the Chinese delegations.
For his part, the Chinese Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing the projects already underway in Burundi, as well as mutual support in international forums.
Regarding the construction of the new building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, the Chinese Ambassador mentioned that the final design plan is in the final stages of completion, and that the next step will be the signing of an agreement to validate this plan.
Regarding the rehabilitation, expansion, and modernization project of the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burundi indicated that the rehabilitation, expansion, and modernization work at the airport began on October 28, 2025, and that a work schedule outlining the working hours has been established between the Burundian and Chinese parties. Work on the control tower is already halfway complete.
The Chinese Ambassador also noted that the Bujumbura city lighting project will begin soon. She further announced that a new team from the Chinese Medical Mission will arrive in Burundi on November 10, 2025, to replace the previous team, which has just completed over a year of service in Burundi. This Chinese Medical Mission will be conducting cataract surgery.