A weeklong art and photography exhibition kicked off on Monday, marking the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to boost bilateral ties between Bangladesh and China.Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the inaugural session of the exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as the chief guest. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh and the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA) are jointly organizing the exhibition while Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Confucius Institute of Dhaka University, Bangladesh-China Friendship Center, Confucius Institute of North South University, Confucius Classroom of SMUCT and Bangla Department of China Media Group (CMG) are the co-organizers of the program. JICA to help improve Bangladesh’s justice delivery system Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art attended the program as the special guest while former Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad presided over the function that was also spoken by Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General at Shilpakala Academy, Dr Yang Hui, Director at the Confucius Institute of Dhaka University and Professor Dr Shahabul Haque, general secretary of ABCA. The Chinese envoy said that the people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and China would be strengthened through the BRI project. "The seeds of friendship we planted together over the years have blossomed into what we see today and will yield even more fruitful results. The BRI project is helping Bangladesh to develop its road communication sector hugely, promoting overall development and industrialization," Yao said.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reminiscent of the Silk Road, is a long-term infrastructural project that would stretch from the heart of China, all the way to Europe which will help Asia cope with infrastructure financing gaps. This was echoed by President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Major General ANM Muniruzzaman and Editor of Dhaka Tribune Zafar Sobhan in their remarks at the BIPSS-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable titled, 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Connecting the World', which was held at the Westin. The BRI project of China will create partnership linkages among the sub-regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. BRI presents an array of opportunities for Bangladesh, they said. The roundtable was attended by diplomats, scholars, security experts, and youth representatives from various disciplines. Also read: BRI Is Open, Inclusive and Beneficial to All BIPSS President Muniruzzaman highlighted the key facets and variables concerning BRI, the underlying opportunities and challenges, and what it means for Bangladesh to maintain a strategic balance being a member of the grand infrastructural initiative. He said BRI is happening at a time when significant changes are taking place in the international system, according to a media release issued on Monday. Zafar Sobhan, editor of The Dhaka Tribune, in his welcome remarks said it is important to take a deeper look at BRI projects, including how they may affect Bangladesh. Muniruzzaman further discussed how Bangladesh has a significant geostrategic role in BRI. “We expect that BRI projects shouldn’t cause any harm to the environment,” he added. While discussing the project of the century, Muniruzzaman focused on how BRI encompasses several continents in a network of roads and sea-routes. Also read: BRI wins applause for driving growth among emerging markets The first keynote speaker, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), began her remarks with an emphasis on the economic and trade benefits of BRI, and its implications for Bangladesh. During her speech, she also highlighted the infrastructural gap currently existing in Bangladesh and BRI will be a key supplement to fulfilling this gap. Fahmida Khatun said it is imperative for Bangladesh to follow a cautious approach regarding Chinese investments. Highlighting the role of BRI member countries, second keynote speaker Parvez Karim Abbasi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Economics at East West University, began his deliberations by talking about the geo-economic implications of BRI for the region. He also highlighted the fact how the whole project of BRI is actually an integral part of the Chinese socioeconomic identity. Abbasi added, “BRI is a concrete manifestation of China’s emergence as an economic powerhouse and it will help expand connectivity transcending the borders between nations.” He said the fate of China is intrinsically linked to BRI. "Due to the pandemic, there’ve been major economic implications for the world. The small states need to take each step with precision and clarity. The role of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has to be studied with in-depth details." Summarizing the discussion, Muniruzzaman said although there will be major implications for the signatory countries, they need to utilise the funds channeled through BRI for the prosperity of our nation. An interactive session with the audience was followed who further enriched the discussion. The participants included foreign diplomats, security sector personnel, scholars and journalists.

The smaller nations like Bangladesh should avoid partisan and military engagements with the big powers in the region to uphold strategic autonomy, a webinar was told on Wednesday. The smaller independent nations in the region such as Bangladesh need to avoid any kind of partisan and military entanglements to ensure strategic autonomy and avoid escalation into a second cold war, said President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Maj. Gen. (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman. He, however, said the nature of competition between the Quad and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is currently more economical than militaristic. Muniruzzaman said the strategic tension between the USA and China might have an adverse effect on the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is willing to work with Bangladesh to further connect their development strategies, deepen practical cooperation across the board, and strive for new outcomes from the Bangladesh-China Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. “China and Bangladesh are close neighbours and traditional friends. In recent years, China-Bangladesh relations enjoy a sound momentum of development, with strategic mutual trust being strengthened and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative pressing ahead,” he said in a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, the Chinese President, on behalf of the government and people of China and in his own name, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Hamid and the friendly people of Bangladesh. Over the past five decades, President Xi said, the diligent and self-reliant people of Bangladesh have made remarkable progress in social and economic development, which has improved the living standard in the country, contributing an important share to the cause of global poverty elimination. “Our traditional friendship has been elevated to a new height in our joint efforts to fight COVID-19,” said the Chinese President. Also read: Will strengthen development strategies with Bangladesh: Chinese President “I wish Bangladesh great prosperity and her people happiness,” reads the message shared by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday night. In a separate message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Bangladesh-China relations are on a fast lane of development, with cooperation in all areas proceeding steadily. Facing the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, the two countries have been on the same boat and lent each other helping hands, further deepening the traditional friendship. “The Chinese side sets great store by China-Bangladesh relations, and is willing to further accelerate the pace of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples,” said the Chinese Premier. Also read: Ready to bring China-Bangladesh ties to new heights: Xi Jinping On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, he, on behalf of the government of China, extended sincere congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Hasina and to the friendly people of Bangladesh. “In recent years, under your (Hasina) leadership, the people of Bangladesh have been focusing on reform and development, and have achieved encouraging progress in building the country and improving people's livelihood,” said the Chinese Premier. As a friendly neighbour and partner, he said, China rejoices at the achievements of Bangladesh. “I wish Bangladesh great prosperity and her people happiness.” State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi also sent a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen. Also read: Bangladesh, China can further fortify ties through exploring new areas of cooperation: PM “I’m ready to work with you to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of our two countries, promote pragmatic cooperation between our two counties across the board to achieve new results, strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs and bring benefits to the two countries and two peoples,” said the Chinese Foreign Minister. In recent years, he said, Bangladesh has sustained a sound momentum of social-economic development, with the living standard of her people improved significantly, and has played a contributing role for regional stability and prosperity. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence Bangladesh, the Chinese Foreign Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dr Momen. “I wish Bangladesh great prosperity and its people happiness.”

Bangladeshi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said that he looks forward to establishing direct road and rail links with China via Myanmar.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday expressed optimism over more investment cooperation with Bangladesh in high-tech fields such as 5G telecommunications, high-speed railway, aerospace, and blue economy.

Bangladesh has laid emphasis on enhanced trade and investment cooperation with China amid growing interest among Chinese investors to invest in Bangladesh.

China has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with Bangladesh in all areas promoting the long-term and sustained growth of China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two nations.

Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism in the world, China and its partners, including African countries, will achieve mutually beneficial growth through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a Chinese envoy to Uganda has said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a two-day state visit to Myanmar on Saturday after attending the signing of a raft of agreements buttressing bilateral relations and advancing Beijing's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, in which his host country is a key player.