Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, over the Kacha river in Pirojpur’s Bekutia, will give a strong boost to the development of southern Bangladesh. “The bridge stands as a perfect illustration of how the integration of Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 perspective plan and the Belt and Road Initiative would benefit the people of Bangladesh and the region beyond,” he said. Ambassador Li said the bridge directly connects Khulna and Barishal, the two sides of the Kacha River, and provides faster transportation opportunity between Mongla and Payra. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the 1,493-metre bridge today (September 4, 2022). To continue the tradition of friendship, China is determined to build the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Ambassador Li said. Read: PM opens Bangamata Bridge over Kacha River in Pirojpur Experts from the two countries are already preparing for feasibility study on the project. Under the phenomenal leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, Bangladesh has impressed the world with its fast and steady growth in the past decade, and is graduating from the least developed countries category. “Despite recent headwinds, Bangladesh’s economy shows significant resilience and is recovering vigorously. The world is witnessing Bangladesh rising from the subcontinent,” said the Chinese envoy. He said the Chinese dream of the great national rejuvenation and the “Sonar Bangla” dream are well connected. “Let us join hands to realize our dreams together!”