Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Thursday expressed optimism that Bangladesh-China relations in strategic cooperation, trade, investment, employment, development projects and people-to-people exchanges will reach new heights through Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's ongoing visit to Beijing.
"This visit is aimed at deepening Bangladesh-China relations in multiple dimensions. From strategic cooperation to trade, investment and employment, and from development projects to people-to-people relations, we believe bilateral engagement between the two countries will reach new heights," he said.
Mahdi Amin made the remarks while addressing a press conference at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing.
Highlighting the Prime Minister's engagements during the day, he said Tarique Rahman held a series of meetings with top executives of major Chinese industrial groups, investors and senior officials alongside ministers to explore ways to expand trade, investment and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.
The PMO spokesperson said heads of several important Chinese institutions, including the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), met the Prime Minister and discussed ways to play a more effective role in expanding investment and trade and contributing to Bangladesh's development journey.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People at 5:00pm local time.
Following the meeting, he said, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of the two prime ministers.
"We hope these agreements will serve as catalysts in further strengthening Bangladesh-China relations," Mahdi Amin said, adding that Premier Li Qiang will later host a state banquet in honour of the Bangladesh Prime Minister and his delegation.
He said the government remains committed to developing relations with China under the principle of "Bangladesh First."
"We want to uphold equality and fairness as the basis for protecting national interests and building bilateral relations," the spokesperson said.
Referring to the broader significance of the visit, he said a democratically elected head of government from Bangladesh is receiving significant international recognition during visits to Malaysia, the World Economic Forum and China while pursuing a balanced foreign policy that prioritises Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.
Mahdi Amin recalled that Tarique Rahman had previously visited China in 2002 with former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and carried back many memorable experiences from that trip.
He also referred to the historic visits of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman to China in 1977 and 1980, saying those visits laid the foundation of Bangladesh-China friendship.
The PMO spokesperson said former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia later strengthened the relationship through her various visits to China.
He said Tarique Rahman is determined to carry forward that legacy and elevate Bangladesh-China partnership to a higher level.
Mahdi Amin also highlighted a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.
During the party-to-party meeting, he said the two sides discussed strengthening long-term economic cooperation, sustainable growth and mutual prosperity through closer partnership. “The Chinese side expressed interest in further enhancing political, economic and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and reiterated support for Bangladesh's sovereignty, security and development.”
The spokesperson said an MoU was also signed between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also met Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying during the day.
Mahdi Amin said the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Teesta Master Plan and the management of Bangladesh's rivers, including flood-risk mitigation, river dredging, prevention of river erosion, irrigation and inland navigation development.
The Chinese minister expressed interest in working together in the sector and in supporting research, training and institutional capacity-building initiatives.
The Prime Minister also addressed an "Invest Bangladesh" event jointly organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), attended by owners and top executives of around 80 leading Chinese companies.
The event focused on expanding Chinese investment in Bangladesh, the government's policy support for investors and opportunities for creating employment through increased economic cooperation.
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony, among others, attended the press conference.