Noting that there are many things that could be learnt from China, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is advancing by maintaining good relations with all countries, including neighbours.
“China has established itself as the second economic power in the world in the last 70 years … I’ll say to Bangladeshi students studying in China, that there are many things they can learn from it and how the Chinese people work, labouring day and night.”
The prime minister was addressing a civic reception accorded her at Legendale Hotel in Beijing on Wednesday evening. Expatriate Bangladeshis under the auspices of the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing hosted the reception, reports BSS.
The prime minister is now in China on an official visit to join the summer World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, also known as Summer Davos, and to hold bilateral meetings with top Chinese leaders.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Engineer Shamsul Haque, an expatriate Bangladeshi, also spoke at the function moderated by Bangladesh Ambassador to China, Fazlul Karim.
Sheikh Hasina said the government is not only making development endeavours inside the country, but also taking the country forward internationally by following its foreign policy of “friendship to all, malice to none.”
Bangladesh maintains good relations with all including its neighbors
The prime minister said many ask her in the international forum how Bangladesh keeps friendship with both India and China. “In reply, I tell them that there is no problem in maintaining good ties with the two countries,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh maintains good relations with all, including its neighbors.
“We follow Bangabandhu’s principles in this regard, word for word, and that’s why we’ve no hostile relations with anybody,” she said.
The premier said investment is coming to Bangladesh as the country has good ties with all. “Investment comes if a stable and democratic government exists in the country,” she continued.
About relations with China, the prime minister said many mega projects like the Karnaphuli Tunnel are being implemented with Chinese assistance.
“It has been possible due to good relations with China,” she said.
Discussing solutions to the land boundary dispute with India and maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar and India, the prime minister recalled that Bangabandhu took initiatives by enacting laws necessary to resolving disputes with neighbors.
“It is seen that war takes place across the world on exchanging of enclaves. But the Indian people remained united about Bangladesh, as the Indian parliament, irrespective of parties and opinions, unanimously passed the land boundary law,” she said.
“We exchanged enclaves in a festive mood and it’s a unique example in the world … in this way we’re taking the country forward by solving every problem,” she said.
Spelling out Bangladesh’s tremendous development in the last decade, the prime minister said any country witnesses development only when those who struggled for independence and sacrificed for the country, and want the welfare of the people, remain in power.
Beijing rolls out red carpet for PM
A red carpet was rolled out as the prime minister arrived at the airport in the Chinese capital of Beijing last morning, after attending the inaugural ceremony of the WEF Summer Davos in Dalian, Liaoning Province.
A special chartered flight of Air China with the premier and her entourage members, landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 11:05am (local time).
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Qing Gang received the premier and a child presented a bouquet of flowers to her while a smartly turned out contingent of the Chinese armed forces gave her a standing guard of honour.
After the reception at the airport, the prime minister in a ceremonial motorcade was taken to Diaoyutai State Guest House, where she will be staying during her visit to the Chinese capital.