Vice President Zeng Qinghong said in Beijing on Thursday that China supports the peace process and national reconstruction in Burundi and will promote bilateral cooperation in all fields.

During his meeting with visiting Burundian Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Antoinette Batumubwira, Zeng expressed congratulations for the successful election in Burundi, saying the country has entered a new period of peace and development.

"We are far from each other, but the two peoples share a deep friendship," Zeng said. He hailed the sound bilateral ties and cooperation with Burundi in the fields of politics, trade and economic cooperation, culture and education, sanitation and international affairs.

China appreciates the Burundian government's constant support for the one-China policy and its support for China's efforts to realize reunification, Zeng noted.

Batumubwira said that Burundi and China have enjoyed a tradition of friendship.

She said that the Chinese government and people stood firmly on the side of Burundi when her country was in difficulty and are again showing support during a new era of its national economic reconstruction.

The Burundian government will stick to the one-China policy and make joint efforts with the Chinese government to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, she added.

Batumubwira kicked off an official visit to China on Sunday as guest of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2005)