Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Burundian Foreign Minister Antoinette Batumubwira held talks in Beijing Thursday, hailing relations between the two countries and vowing to enhance cooperation in all fields.

Li expressed congratulation for the successful election and the ending of political transition in Burundi, saying it's an "important step forward" on the road toward peace, stability and national reconciliation.

"The Chinese government will continuously support the peace process in Burundi," he said.

The two countries share long-lasting and sincere friendship and treat each other equally with fruitful cooperation in all fields, Li said.

Li noted that China appreciates that the Burundian government constantly adheres to the one-China policy and will further enhance political exchange with Burundi.

China will increase mutual-understanding and mutual-trust with Burundi, expand and deepen cooperation in sectors such as trade and economic cooperation, beef up coordination on the international arena and lift the Sino-Burundian friendly cooperation to a new high, he said.

Batumubwira thanked the support and help from the Chinese government to Burundi, saying that her country is striving for national reconstruction and will strengthen cooperation with China in all spheres.

She reiterated that the Burundian government will keep to the one-China policy and support China's stance on major international issues, such as human rights.

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

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2005)