Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong held talks in Beijing Monday with visiting Burundian Vice President Alphonse-Marie Kadege.

Zeng said China and Burundi have cultivated a traditional friendship, featuring mutual respect, equal treatment and sincere cooperation in political, economic and social fields.

As they have cooperated and supported each other, Zeng said, China and Burundi have become trusted friends.

Zeng said the Chinese side thanked the Burundi government for its long-standing adherence to the one China policy. China also thanked Burundi for its support on the human rights issue.

Zeng said the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing its relationship with Burundi and is active in expanding new areas and channels for further cooperation.

China is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in international affairs and push forward the friendship between the two sides, Zeng said.

Zeng positively commented on the peace process in Burundi. He said China will continue providing support and aid within its power, in a bid to help the peace process and economic reconstruction in Burundi.

Kadege said Burundi is satisfied with the sincere friendship with the Chinese side.

He expressed his gratitude for China's efforts to help Burundi in realizing peace and reconstructing economy.

Burundi highly valued China's policy on strengthening ties with developing countries, he said, adding that his country hopes to expand overall cooperation with China.

He reiterated that his country would stick to the one China policy.

After the talks, the two governments signed an economic and technological cooperation agreement.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2004)