China to chart future course of bilateral ties

China has said it expects Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of bilateral relations, as Beijing seeks to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh under its new government.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the visit as an important milestone in China-Bangladesh relations and the first official visit to China by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman since assuming office.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the Bangladeshi prime minister will pay an official visit to China from June 23 to 26. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji.

“The leaders will chart the future course of bilateral ties,” Guo said, noting that the two sides would exchange views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The leaders will hold talks with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman respectively to have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, he added.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will also attend the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, commonly known as the Summer Davos Forum, in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian in Liaoning Province.

Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries, Guo said China and Bangladesh are traditional friends, neighbours and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners.

Over the years, he said, bilateral relations have continued to grow under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, with deepening political trust and expanding practical cooperation delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

Referring to China’s expectations from the visit, Guo said: “Through the visit, China looks forward to working with the new government of Bangladesh to enhance strategic communication, carry forward the traditional friendship, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand exchanges and cooperation in various areas, and enhance coordination on multilateral affairs to bring the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level.”

The visit comes immediately after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s brief but significant official trip to Malaysia, his first overseas visit since taking office. Following the conclusion of his Malaysian engagements, the prime minister departed directly for China on Monday.

Rahman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night aboard a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight alongside his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman. Upon arrival, he was accorded a red-carpet reception and guard of honour by the Malaysian government.

A 23-member official delegation, including ministers, state ministers and advisers, accompanied the prime minister during the Malaysia visit.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the Malaysia tour as a major milestone in Bangladesh-Malaysia relations and said the premier would participate in several important programmes in China concerning Bangladesh’s national interests.

The Chinese side has attached considerable importance to the visit, which is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure development, Belt and Road projects and multilateral diplomacy.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will join leaders from several countries, including South Korea, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Montenegro and Guinea, at the Summer Davos Forum, where more than 1,700 representatives from politics, business, academia and the media from over 90 countries and regions are expected to participate.