BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the ruling Forces pour la Defense de la Democratie (FDD) of Burundi said Tuesday the FDD hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and to further enhance the "brotherly friendship" with the CPC.

Mohamed Rukara, vice president of the Council of Elders, the top decision-making body of the FDD, said in an interview with Xinhua that there are a lot of ruling experiences of CPC that the FDD can learn from.

He said the CPC has gained great achievements in China's reform and opening up, realizing sustainable development, developing science and technology and striking corruption.

He said Burundi has set "sustainable development" as the slogan for the 2010-2015 period, and he believed that his country can learn from China's successful experiences of reform and opening up and realize the goal of shaking off poverty by 2020-2025.

Rukara, who is also a ombudsman, said corruption has been a big challenge facing his country, and he believed the FDD can learn from the CPC in this regard, as the latter has been combating corruption very hard and effectively.

Appreciating China's aid and contribution to the development of Burundi, Rukara said the two parties and the two countries have had very good relations based on mutual respect.

He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Burundi to support its development, and "the door will always be open to our brother."

At the invitation of the CPC, Rukara is heading an FDD delegation for a visit to China starting from Saturday.