Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid an official visit to Burundi at the invitation of his Burundian counterpart Batumubwira from January 9 to 10, 2008. It is the first visit of a Chinese foreign minister to Burundi since 1993. The Burundian side attached great importance to the visit of Yang and had made careful preparations. During the visit Yang met with Burundian President Nkurunziza, held talks and signed with Batumubwira the governmental economic and technological cooperation agreement, attended jointly with the First Vice President of Burundi the foundation laying ceremony of a primary school to be built with assistance of China and met with staffs of the Chinese embassy in Burundi and the representatives of Chinese organizations and overseas Chinese in the country. The Burundian side spoke highly of Yang's visit and noted that the visit, although short, is fruitful and effective and would stimulate the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Yang beat the drum spontaneously at the airport	Foreign Minister Yang, the First Vice President of Burundi and Ambassador Zeng laid the foundation for the primary school to be built with China's assistance
Foreign Minister Yang and his Burundian counterpart attended the signing ceremony	Foreign Minister Yang talked with President Nkurunziza