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Chinese Communist Party (CPC) International Department Minister Liu Haixing paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, expressing China’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development and strengthening bilateral relations.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
During the meeting, Liu conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s greetings to Tarique Rahman. In response, the prime minister extended his greetings to Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Liu said the joint declaration on ushering in a new era of Bangladesh-China bilateral relations was made during Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing. He expressed hope that the two countries would expand areas of mutual cooperation in line with the declaration.
He reaffirmed China’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development and progress, saying Beijing’s commitment to Bangladesh remained unchanged. He also expressed optimism that bilateral ties would deepen and grow stronger, and voiced confidence in Bangladesh’s economic growth and development prospects under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.
Tarique Rahman said the foundation of Bangladesh-China relations was laid during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The relationship has long held a special place in the hearts of the peoples of both countries, he said.
The prime minister said it was their responsibility to preserve the historic ties and carry them forward to future generations, expressing hope that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries would continue to flourish.
Recalling Ziaur Rahman’s visit to China, Tarique said Bangladesh’s canal excavation programme began afterwards and later gained widespread popularity, contributing to agricultural development.
The current government has also undertaken an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, which would benefit farmers and ordinary people while helping preserve biodiversity and maintain environmental balance, he said.
Both sides stressed the need to enhance party-level communication and cooperation between the CPC and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Liu expressed China’s interest in broadening ties between the two parties and invited a BNP delegation led by its secretary general to visit China.
The meeting also discussed the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Liu expressed China’s support for Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The prime minister highlighted the economic, social, demographic and environmental pressures Bangladesh faces due to the prolonged presence of around 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and sought China’s cooperation in resolving the crisis.
Liu said China was aware of the Rohingya crisis and pledged to convey the prime minister’s concerns to President Xi Jinping.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, acting secretary general Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Vice-Chairman and MP Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam were present.
The Chinese delegation included Chinese Embassy Charge d’Affaires in Bangladesh Liu Yuyin, Peng Xiubin, director general of the CPC International Department’s Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, and other senior officials.
