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President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for further strengthening Bangladesh-China bilateral relations, describing China as a trusted friend and an important strategic partner of Bangladesh.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at Bangabhaban on Wednesday.
President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam disclosed the details of the meeting.
During the meeting, the president highlighted the signing of a framework agreement for the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port and the groundbreaking of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ).
He said these initiatives would make significant contributions to Bangladesh’s connectivity, industrialisation and economic development.
The president also welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposals for expanding regional connectivity, including the proposed corridor linking Kunming and Chattogram and the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor.
He thanked Xi Jinping and invited him to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
The president emphasised the importance of greater investment by Chinese companies in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors that could facilitate technology transfer, create employment opportunities and diversify exports.
In response, Liu Haixing assured continued Chinese cooperation in areas including renewable energy, education and cultural exchanges.
The president thanked China for its support in financing and constructing the 1,000-bed Bangladesh-China Friendship General Hospital. He also sought Beijing’s continued active role in ensuring the safe repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The Chinese minister assured that his country would continue its cooperation in this regard.
The president also expressed gratitude for China’s continued assistance in addressing Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis.
Recalling the visits to China by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977 and 1980, Mirza Fakhrul said those historic visits had laid the foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries.
Liu Haixing said diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China were established during Ziaur Rahman’s tenure and further strengthened during the government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
He expressed hope that relations between the two countries would become stronger and broader under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Referring to his latest visit to China, the president said his meetings with the Chinese vice-president and the visiting minister had been fruitful and helped strengthen mutual relations.
He also highlighted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China in June, saying it would play an important role in taking bilateral relations to new heights.
The president described the prime minister’s discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior leaders, as well as the signing of memorandums of understanding and other cooperation documents during the visit, as positive developments in bilateral relations.
The president wished Liu Haixing continued success and good health.
Earlier, the president welcomed the Chinese minister with flowers upon his arrival at Bangabhaban and introduced him to his secretaries.
The Chinese delegation included Liu Yuin, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, and Peng Xiubin, Director-General of the Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs of the CPC Central Committee’s International Department.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Foreign Ministry Secretary (Coordination) Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury were also present.
Following the meeting, the president took the visiting minister and other delegation members on a tour of Bangabhaban. They were shown a video of Liu Haixing’s father, former ambassador Liu Shuqing, presenting his credentials to then President Ziaur Rahman in 1980, along with photographs of the president’s visit to China during his tenure as Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister.
The president’s military secretary, secretary of the Public Division and press secretary were also present.
