Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has said Bangladesh-China relations have come a long way and are now 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, which was attended by senior political leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, ministers, senior government officials, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders, civil society representatives and senior journalists.

The LGRD Minister said Bangladesh looks to the next decade with the expectation of further expanding cooperation with China.

“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 emphasised that future partnerships should not only deliver large-scale infrastructure but also empower people and strengthen small businesses.

“Small traders can be the best ambassadors between two countries,” he added.

Recalling Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, Dr Moyeen said the visit had opened the way for transformative projects and described it as a milestone in bilateral relations.

“The substantive discussions that were held in China and the forward-looking proposals that emerged from those discussions make us happy. That visit was a milestone in our bilateral relationship,” he said.

Dr Moyeen said Bangladesh looks forward to elevating its partnership with China and building a shared future for the younger generations of the two countries.

“But between the two countries, we have travelled a long way towards where we are today, and I think this friendship has to be built by taking into account modern times, our technology, our diplomacy and our politics,” he said.

Dr Moyeen also praised China’s development experience over the past 77 years, saying it offers an important example of transformation in the modern world.

“China has provided one of the most striking examples of development in our modern history,” he said, referring to the country’s transformation despite its enormous population and the level of economic development from which it started.

He said Bangladesh, with its limited land and large population, shares an important development priority with China - improving the lives of people who are less privileged.

“Our priority is also the same: that we want to uplift the rights of the people in society who are not so privileged,”Moyeen Khan said, while noting that the political philosophies of the two countries may be different.

The minister said Bangladesh remains eager to learn from China’s experience in infrastructure development, technology, innovation and large-scale urbanisation.

“At the same time, we believe that government-to-government cooperation must provide opportunities and create opportunities for more and more people,” he said.

The minister  stressed the importance of greater exchanges among students, businesspeople, journalists and professionals, saying such contacts can help deepen mutual understanding and widen the scope of future cooperation.

“People-to-people contact, exchanges of students as well as businesspeople can change the pace of our countries,” he said.

He also thanked Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen for his role in advancing Bangladesh-China friendship and promoting 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,” Dr Moyeen said.

Dr Moyeen extended Bangladesh’s best wishes to the government and people of China for continued peace, prosperity and wellbeing.

“May the friendship between Bangladesh and China continue to flourish, bringing greater progress to our peoples in both countries, and lasting stability to our friendship in this region and in the globe,” he said.

Recalling a well-known saying, he concluded, “please go as far as China if you want knowledge.”

The minister also congratulated the Chinese government and people on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.