Bangladesh-China relations poised for broader cooperation
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has said Bangladesh-China relations are poised for further expansion across trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, technology and people-to-people contacts.
"Our ties span trade, development, infrastructure, energy and industry, and, last but not the least, people-to-people contact," he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a reception in Dhaka on Wednesday evening marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen delivered the welcome remarks at the reception attended by ministers, political leaders, senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, civil society representatives and journalists.
Dr Moyeen said Bangladesh looked forward to a new decade of expanded cooperation with China encompassing not only trade and commerce but also friendship and cultural exchanges.
"Bangladesh looks forward to the next decade of further expansion of our cooperation-not only in the area of trade and commerce, but also in the area of friendship and culture," he said.
The minister said future cooperation should go beyond large infrastructure projects and increasingly create opportunities for ordinary people and small businesses.
"Small traders can be the best ambassadors between two countries," he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China, Dr Moyeen described it as a milestone in bilateral relations, saying substantive discussions and forward-looking proposals during the visit had opened opportunities for transformative projects.
He said Bangladesh wanted to further elevate its partnership with China and build a shared future for the younger generations of the two countries.
The minister praised China's development experience over the past 77 years, describing its transformation as "one of the most striking examples of development in our modern history."
Despite differences in political philosophies, he said Bangladesh and China share the development priority of improving the lives of less-privileged people.
Bangladesh remained keen to learn from China's experience in infrastructure, technology, innovation and large-scale urbanisation, he said.
"At the same time, we believe that government-to-government cooperation must provide opportunities and create opportunities for more and more people," Dr Moyeen added.
He particularly stressed greater exchanges among students, businesspeople, journalists and professionals to deepen mutual understanding and broaden bilateral cooperation.
"People-to-people contact, exchanges of students as well as businesspeople can change the pace of our countries," he said.
Dr Moyeen also thanked Ambassador Yao for his role in advancing bilateral friendship and cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and people-to-people exchanges.
"I would like to recognise the Ambassador personally for his tireless work in advancing the friendship between the two countries," he said.
The minister congratulated the Chinese government and people on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and wished them continued peace and prosperity.
