Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza (L, front) and Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Li Changlin (R, front) attend a ceremony to launch the China-aided state house in Bujumbura, Burundi, Sept. 27, 2019. The complex with a total construction area of about 10,000 square meters is located in the northeast of Bujumbura, some 9 km from the city center. It consists of the president's office building, rooms for guards and equipment, and watchtowers. (Photo by Evrard Ngendakumana/Xinhua)
BUJUMBURA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China is "a best friend" of Burundi, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said Friday while Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Li Changlin called Burundi an all-weather friend.
Nkurunziza made the remark at a ceremony to launch the China-aided state house, a week after cutting the ribbon for another China-aided project Ruzibazi hydropower station.
The complex with a total construction area of about 10,000 square meters is located in the northeast of Bujumbura, some 9 km from the city center. It consists of the president's office building, rooms for guards and equipment, and watchtowers.
"All Burundian citizens should be glad about the inauguration of the state house, which is an extraordinary step of the country," Nkurunziza said.
The new state house, named after Burundi's first king Ntare Rushatsi who unified the country and fought against its enemies, helps Burundi stop renting the workplace of public institutions, and is a result of good relations and cooperation between Burundi and China, the president said.
He called on the Burundian people to consolidate independence and peace of Burundi, build cohesion, and work hard for future generations.
China is committed to working with African countries to build a closer China-Africa community of shared future, said Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Li Changlin at the ceremony.
In recent years, China-Burundi cooperation has been consolidated, said Li, noting that China has implemented various projects in all areas in Burundi including infrastructure, education, health and agriculture.
China sees Burundi as an all-weather friend, and expects to make due contributions to Burundi's development in all fields, he said.
