BEIJING, June 26, (V7N) — Chinese President Xi Jinping today assured that China will remain a "trusted friend" of Bangladesh in implementing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s development vision.
Xi gave the assurance when Tarique Rahman met him on the final day of the premier’s visit to China at the Great Hall of the People this morning. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues of mutual interest.
“During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi has assured Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of China’s long-term support for Bangladesh’s development, saying that China would remain a ‘trusted friend’ throughout Bangladesh’s development journey,” Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir told a press conference at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Xi emphasized that the friendship and partnership between the two countries were not temporary, but a long-term commitment by China under his leadership to Bangladesh’s development. The Chinese President also expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit would further accelerate Bangladesh’s development.
Xi assured that China is ready to support the implementation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s vision for Bangladesh’s development, economic transformation, regional cooperation, and stability. He praised Tarique Rahman’s development vision and expressed full confidence in his leadership, Kobir said.
Kobir said China has expressed support for Bangladesh’s efforts to join BRICS and become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Beijing also voiced support for Bangladesh’s interest in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could provide greater access to regional markets.A
Earlier, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the same venue. Zhao, regarded as one of the most influential leaders in China’s political structure, is the third-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee.
According to Humayun Kobir, Zhao reaffirmed China’s support for Bangladesh’s development and prosperity under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He highlighted China’s close engagement with Bangladesh’s development priorities and assured continued cooperation.
Zhao identified opportunities for cooperation in healthcare, education, skills development, technical and vocational training, water resource management, and river management. He described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a close partner with whom China is eager to work even more closely.
Quoting Zhao, Kobir said that if Bangladesh and China work together, they could become a united force representing the interests and aspirations of the Global South. This shows the importance the Chinese leadership attached to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit.
The PM’s adviser said the Prime Minister’s meetings with Chinese business leaders and industry representatives could lead to several billion dollars in potential investment. In addition to investment, discussions were held on concessional loans and grants.
Kobir said that despite grant-based financing becoming increasingly limited worldwide, China has pledged more than US$300 million in grant assistance.
Giving an overall assessment of the visit, Humayun Kabir described it as "historic" and "transformational."
"This visit is not only historic; it has ushered in a new era. Through it, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh’s development vision, and his ideas on regional cooperation and stability have gained greater acceptance among world leaders," he said.
"The visit to China will, in the future, be regarded as a historic milestone from which Bangladesh will be able to exert a more positive and stronger influence across the region and the world," he added.
END/AJ/RH
