Burundian scholar strengthens China-Africa cultural ties

Before attending the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing in 2025, I joined 60 young Sinologists from 51 countries in writing a letter to President Xi Jinping.

In the letter, we expressed our determination to deepen cultural exchanges and serve as bridges between peoples.

Soon after, we received a reply. President Xi praised our love for the Chinese language and culture and encouraged us to continue promoting mutual learning between civilizations and introducing a true, multidimensional China to the world. 

His reply gave me both encouragement and a clearer sense of mission. As a young African from Burundi, my life has moved in step with the development of China-Africa relations. In 2012, I began learning Chinese in Africa. Today I'm pursuing a doctoral degree at Nanjing University, Jiangsu province, focusing on China-Africa relations and cross-cultural studies.

Over the past decade, I have witnessed China-Africa relations enter a golden period of rapid growth and closer cooperation. Every step has strengthened my understanding of this friendship that spans mountains and seas and has allowed me to form a deep personal bond with China.

One book that has helped me better understand China is Xi Jinping:The Governance of China. I was especially impressed by President Xi's 2013 speech in Tanzania, "Be Trustworthy Friends and Sincere Partners Forever", in which he explained the foundations of China-Africa friendship and the principle of win-win cooperation.

When he quoted the African proverb "A river runs deep because of its source," I recalled countless stories of China and Africa standing together: Chinese and African workers building the Tanzania-Zambia Railway side by side, sometimes at great personal cost, and African countries supporting China's return to the United Nations. These moments show the depth of mutual support and shared growth.

President Xi also linked the Chinese proverb "It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish" with the African proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." To me, these sayings show that China-Africa cooperation is not one-sided assistance, but a partnership based on equality and mutual benefit.

I have seen this approach take root in practice. In Burundi, Chinese-supported agricultural centers have brought advanced equipment and technical guidance, helping improve local production and enabling products to enter the Chinese market. Infrastructure projects built by Chinese companies in Africa have hired local workers, provided skills training and strengthened Africa's talent foundation. These efforts demonstrate sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation rather than one-sided aid.

As an ancient civilization with a rich tradition of etiquette, China carries out cultural exchanges based on equality and respect. Burundi is a small African country, but China has always treated us as equals. This respect does not change because of a country's size, power or wealth.

Behind this equality lies a shared civilizational understanding.

The African philosophy of Ubuntu emphasizes "I am because we are," while China's ideal of "great harmony under heaven" pursues care for others, shared prosperity and peaceful coexistence. Both contain values of benevolence and sharing, forming a cultural foundation for sincere cooperation.

As President Xi said, "When brothers are of the same mind, their strength can cut through metal."This echoes the African proverb,"One hand cannot lift a calabash." To me, this is more than a similarity in language. It is a genuine handshake between civilizations.

Today, China-Africa relations stand at a new historical starting point. With 2026 designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and marking the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic ties, the two sides are working to deepen their all-weather friendship and pursue modernization together.

Guided by President Xi's reply, I'm more determined to use the Chinese language as a bridge to promote exchanges between Chinese and African youth.

From my early reading of The Governance of China to my current efforts to tell stories of China-Africa cooperation, my role has evolved from observer to participant and communicator.

I will continue to share the stories of China-Africa cooperation, helping more people see the depth of this partnership and the power of mutual learning.

I believe our generation can advance China-Africa friendship further and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Written by Bankuwiha Etienne, a Burundian Sinologist who has lived in China for seven years. He is currently a PhD candidate at Nanjing University, Jiangsu province, focusing on China-Africa relations and cross-cultural studies.