President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called for further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China, describing the country as a trusted friend and an important strategic partner.
He made the remarks when Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Haixing paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told UNB.
During the meeting, the president referred to the signing of a framework agreement for the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port and the groundbreaking of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), saying these initiatives would make significant contributions to Bangladesh's connectivity, industrialisation and economic development.
He also welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposals for expanding multidimensional connectivity, including the proposed Kunming-Chittagong corridor and the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor.
Mirza Fakhrul thanked and congratulated Xi Jinping and invited him to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Emphasising greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh, he highlighted sectors that could contribute to technology transfer, employment generation and export diversification.
Liu Haixing assured continued Chinese cooperation in areas such as green 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 and sought Beijing's continued active role in ensuring the safe repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The Chinese minister assured that China would continue its cooperation in this regard.
Mirza Fakhrul also expressed gratitude for China's continued assistance amid the ongoing energy crisis.
Recalling the visits to China by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977 and 1980, he said those historic visits had laid the foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries.
Liu Haixing said Bangladesh's diplomatic relations with China had been established during Ziaur Rahman's tenure and further strengthened during the tenure of then prime minister Khaleda Zia.
He expressed hope that bilateral relations would become stronger and broader under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Referring to his recent visit to China, the president said his meetings with the Chinese vice president and the visiting minister had been fruitful and helped further strengthen mutual relations.
Mentioning Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China in June, he said the visit would play an important role in taking bilateral relations to new heights.
Mirza Fakhrul described the prime minister's interactions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other top Chinese leaders, along with the signing of memorandums of understanding and other cooperation documents, as positive developments in bilateral ties.
He wished Liu Haixing continued success and good health.
Earlier, the president welcomed the Chinese minister with flowers when he arrived at Bangabhaban and introduced him to his secretaries.
Among the members of the Chinese delegation were Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Liu Yuin and Director General of the Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs of the CPC Central Committee's International Department Peng Xiubin.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Foreign Ministry Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury were also present.
After the meeting, the president accompanied the Chinese minister and other delegation members on a tour of Bangabhaban.
During the visit, video footage of Liu Haixing's father, former ambassador Liu Shuqing, presenting his credentials to then President Ziaur Rahman in 1980 was shown.
Photographs of Mirza Fakhrul's visit to China during his tenure as Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) Minister were also displayed.
The president's military secretary, secretary of the public division and press secretary were present.
