Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (July 31, 2024) likened the recent violence in the country as ‘almost a terrorist attack’ aimed at creating a situation like what had happened in Sri Lanka to oust her government.“It was not a movement at all, and at one stage it almost into a terrorist attack,” she said while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. Lives lost during the anti-quota violence will never come back: PM HasinaPM’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed reporters after the call on.He quoted the PM as telling the envoy said that the anarchists actually tried to create a situation like what had happened in Sri Lanka to topple her government.“Actually they (the anarchists) have planned to create Sri Lanka type violence and oust the government,” she said. PM Hasina visits Suhrawardy Hospital to check on violence victims Hasina expressed sorrow for the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the carnage centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public services.Indian HC Verma expressed condolence for the loss of lives during the recent violence.He welcomed the normalcy that steadily is being restored, and the gradual resumption of economic activities in Bangladesh, according to the press secretary. Govt to take foreign technical assistance for judicial probe committee: PMVerma said that Bangladesh is the closest neighbour of India. It always gives support to the Bangladesh government and its people for implementation of Dhaka’s Vision of a progressive and prosperous country.He said that the successful visit of PM Hasina to India produced substantive outcomes, consolidated the past achievements and created a blue print for the future cooperation.“And based on the two countries national development visions, Vision 2041 for Bangladesh and Vision 2047 India, both countries entered into a new era of cooperation,” he said.In this cooperation there will be digital, green, joint development of satellite and new areas of cooperation like blue economy, oceanography and fintech.“That means future oriented partnership is based on our people’s shared aspirations for the future,” Verma said. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin were present.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has protested a news article with false information, titled “Indian students flee Dhaka amid violent clashes, PM Sheikh Hasina airlifted,” published online as well as a related post on the X handle of India Today NE on July 21, 2024. "We request all the news outlets, including the India Today NE, to remain vigil and ensure objective and balanced reporting taking account of the sensitivity of the issue," reads a rejoinder sent by the Bangladesh High Commission.  Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press) sent the rejoinder to the media outlet on behalf of the High Commission on July 22.  While the article was premised on misleading information in more detail, the X post reads: “Amidst this chaos, reports confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was airlifted from her residence in Dhaka. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.” Read more: It's your internal affair but we are with you: Diplomats to govt Although both the article and the post were subsequently taken down within a few hours, the misinformation on the status of the Government of Bangladesh went viral within a short span of time, and triggered huge confusion and anxiety among people at home and abroad, the rejoinder reads. "On behalf of the High Commission of Bangladesh, I express my sheer disappointment at the aforesaid erroneous article and post. As you are well aware, our country is going through a challenging time due to the ongoing student protests," reads the rejoinder.  “This kind of misinformation and reporting based on rumour at the time of such critical moment of any country may misguide the people and even add fuel to the crisis and turn the situation into more chaotic,” said the High Commission.  Moreover, such kind of reporting, without gauging the sensitivity, does not only negatively affect the people and the society at large, but also puts the credibility of any news outlet in question.  On July 21, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh delivered a historic verdict on reforming the quota system in the public service employment.  Read more: Diplomats witnessing destruction in Dhaka were stunned: Foreign Minister The court ordered 93% of the government jobs to be allocated on a merit-based system, which has been the demand of the students.  While welcoming the order of the apex court of the country, the Government of Bangladesh has also taken a slew of measures to ensure safety and security of the people and property, said the High Commission.  With this, the situation has significantly improved, and it is expected that normalcy will return soon, it said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (July 25, 2024) morning visited the vandalised metro rail station at Mirpur 10.  She inspected different parts of the station which was totally devastated in the recent mayhem centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public service. Senior officials of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) briefed the PM  regarding the destruction and the future plan to reopen the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations. Some unidentified people went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations last Friday causing significant damages. Read more: It was a target by BNP-Jamaat to destroy the economy: PM Hasina on recent mayhem Metro rail services were suspended on July 18 amid demonstrations by students demanding quota reform in public service. Officials at DMTCL indicated that the reopening schedule will be declared once the inquiry committee, formed to assess the damages, submits its report within 10 working days. The inquiry committee was formed on July 22 to assess the extent of the damages to the metro rail and to determine when it can be made operational again. Additional Secretary Mohammad Zakaria, who is additional director of the metro rail MRT Line-6 project, is leading the committee. The government opened the metro station for public on March 01, 2023), nearly two months after the inauguration of the country’s much-awaited metro rail. The main construction work of the project started in 2017. The cost of the country’s first ever metro rail project stood at Tk 33,472 crore. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  provided Tk 19,719 crore in the form of a loan to support the project, while the Government of Bangladesh funded the remaining amount. Read more: PM urges AL members to stand by the poor affected by violence In the beginning, the estimated cost of this project was about Tk 21,000 crore. The cost increased due to the construction of an additional 1.6 km section from Motijheel to Kamalapur, acquisition of new land for each station, and the addition of various new facilities. The prime minister formally inaugurated the Uttara-Agargaon section of MRT-6 line of the Metro Rail on December 28, 2022.

- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (July 24, 2024) invited Malaysia to install full manufacturing facilities for their Perodua cars in Bangladesh. She said this when outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md. Hashim called on her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Prime Minister’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed reporters after the call on. At the meeting, the envoy mentioned that the local PHP Motors is assembling Perodua cars here. China agreed to provide Bangladesh with assistance equivalent to $2bn across 4 packages: PM Hasina PHP Motors, a concern of PHP Family, has tied up with Perodua, a top Malaysian automobile brand, to assemble their cars and SUVs in Bangladesh and sell them in the local market. During the meeting, both the Prime Minister and the Malaysian envoy also discused the longstanding and continuing relationship between the two countries since the government of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. PM’s Press Secretary also said that speaking on the issue of the current situation, the envoy said she has confidence in the Prime Minister’s ability to restore normalcy. “You’re handing the situation well and the matter is purely Bangladesh’s domestic affairs,” PM’s Press Secretary quoted the Malaysian envoy as saying. The high commissioner said that Malaysian business entities’ cumulative investment rose to USD 5 billion in Bangladesh – mainly propelled by the two telecommunication companies, Robi and Edotco Bangladesh as they reinvested their profits here. Explore new markets for Bangladesh products: PM to exporters She mentioned that a good number of Malaysian students are studying in agricultural universities, medical colleges and other institutions in Bangladesh. To this end, the high commissioner extended gratitude to the premier for it. Highlighting their health faculties, the envoy said many Malaysian hospitals are comparable to those in Singapore considering the services offered and lower costs. “Bangladeshis can avail the health facilities there as more than 70 of the physicians in Singapore are from Malaysia,” she added. Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin was present among others during the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (July 15, 2024) slammed the female students of Dhaka University’s Ruqayyah Hall, who chanted slogans by calling themselves razakars -collaborators of Pakistani forces in 1971. “I felt sorry when I heard yesterday the students of Ruqayyah Hall calling themselves razakars. Do they know what had taken place there on March 25, 1971?  Some 300 girls were killed and 40 girls were raped and taken to the Pakistani camps,” she said. The premier said this while addressing the signing ceremony of the Annual Performance Agreement (APA) of the ministries and divisions for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office. Get knowledge about science and tech to build a better Bangladesh: PM Hasina urges youth Citing several gruesome incidents carried out by the Pakistani forces in 1971, she said the female students didn’t see these oppressions on streets in 1971. “So, they don’t feel ashamed of calling themselves Razakars,” she added. The PM said it is unfortunate that girls now chant such slogans. “What country are we in? What spirit do they believe in? What lessons did they learn? What did they learn? It is my question,” she added. In the function, the APA Award for FY 2022-23 and Integrity Award for FY 2023-24 were distributed among the government offices for their excellent performance in APA implementation and rendering services respectively. Read more: Clash erupts between quota protestors, BCL activists at DU

Bangladesh and China elevated their ties during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Beijing this week, according to the consensus in Chinese media outlets, a preponderance of which happen to be state-owned. The two countries on Wednesday upgraded their relations to a ‘comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership’. Xi-Hasina meeting: China to cooperate with Bangladesh in grants and loans China’s state-led international broadcaster, CGTN, which broadcasts in English, reported the upgrade with an emphasis on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech during the meeting.  Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, the two countries have always shown mutual respect and support, treated each other on an equal footing and engaged in win-win cooperation, according to CGTN. He also said the relationship between China and Bangladesh stands as a shining example of amicable interactions and mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly among Global South nations. Chinese PM announces 1 billion RMB for Bangladesh as economic assistance: Hasan Mahmud Xi urged the two sides to make efforts for the Year of People-to-People Exchanges between China and Bangladesh next year to promote exchanges and cooperation in fields such as culture, tourism, media and sports, CGTN reported, adding that he said China is ready to work closely with Bangladesh on international and regional affairs, and strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks. The website of the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's flagship newspaper, had Xinhua News Agency’s report on the visit as its lead item on Wednesday night, under the title: “Xi meets Bangladeshi PM.” PM’s China visit not shortened; programmes unchanged: Foreign Minister Global Times, another one of the CCP’s official mouthpieces, in a piece titled “China, Bangladesh elevate ties, broaden cooperation” on Wednesday, repeated most of the things CGTN reported from Xi’s speech, and carried the prime minister’s assurances that  “Bangladesh firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports China's stance on the Taiwan question, resolutely opposes external forces' interference in China's internal affairs, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests”. The report quoted Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, as saying that the visit by Hasina is a link between the past and the future for bilateral relations, especially in promoting high-level cooperation in the field of economy and trade. The development strategies of the two countries will be further synergized, and more economic and trade cooperation projects are expected to be implemented in the future, injecting more substantive connotations into the duo's strategic cooperative relations, Qian told Global Times. Another expert that Global Times spoke to, Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow with the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said the visit would further promote the traditional friendship between the two countries. Through cooperation over the past years, Bangladesh has clearly seen how China's development ideas and experience have played a huge role in promoting the economic and social development of Bangladesh, Hu said. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing announce 7 outcomes, including completion of feasibility study on FTA The Global Times report also noted the Indian angle, reporting: “[S]ome Indian media outlets viewed Hasina's China visit as ‘a balancing act to keep the two key players happy,’ as ‘she needs India to be in power, and China for economic support.’ Some Indian media also talked down the cooperation between Beijing and Dhaka.” In this context, Hu told Global Times: “India always uses various excuses to obstruct and create hype whenever a South Asian leader visits China, but New Delhi should not be overly concerned that other countries' engagement with China will damage their relations with India.” Meanwhile Qian, the other expert quoted in the report, said: “For Bangladesh, in the face of pressure from India, the development of China-Bangladesh relations also provides a valuable choice for Dhaka to better safeguard its diplomatic independence and development opportunities.” Global Times also reported separately on ‘The Summit on Trade, Business, and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China’ that took place on Tuesday, and on the day of the PM’s arrival in Beijing, Monday, carried an op-ed titled ‘China-Bangladesh bonhomie benefits both’ by Zhang Xiaoyu, an expert in South Asian Studies at the Communication University of China. The South China Morning Post, one of the few privately-owned media outlets in the country, based out of Hong Kong, titled its report “China and Bangladesh pledge to fight external interference and boost economic cooperation” on Wednesday. It said Hasina reassured Xi over Taiwan, calling it ‘Beijing’s most sensitive issue’, and quoted the prime minister as saying, “Bangladesh firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports China’s position on the Taiwan issue, and resolutely opposes external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs”. SCMP also quoted Xi via the other state broadcaster CCTV, which broadcasts in Chinese, as saying, “China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Bangladesh in multilateral fields, oppose hegemony and power politics, and better safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.” The newspaper noted that China’s loans to “the debt-ridden country” have raised fears that Bangladesh will be caught in a “debt trap” and struggle to repay them. It said Hasina met Jin Liqun, president of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, to ask for the country’s interest payments to be reduced, and recalled Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud’s announcement prior to the trip that a $5 billion loan would be sought from China. SCMP reports that there has been “no immediate response from China to the requests”. China’s official Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang Huning, a member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee who met with Hasina, as saying that “China and Bangladesh have respected and treated each other with equality, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries.” Read more: Dhaka, Beijing sign 21 cooperation documents; announce 7 outcomes to strengthen ties on diverse fronts

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (July 10, 2024) said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ongoing official China visit has not been shortened, but she is returning home tonight to give time to her daughter Saima Wazed who is unwell. “There has been no change in her official engagements. She was supposed to stay in Beijing tonight. But she is returning to spend time with her daughter,” he told reporters. The Foreign Minister said that Saima Wazed, who is the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, was supposed to be part of the visit but she could not as she fell sick on July 8 morning. Saima Wazed is still unwell, said Hasan. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing sign 21 cooperation documents to strengthen ties on diverse fronts Bangladesh and China today signed 21 cooperation documents, mostly MoUs, eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation between the two Asian countries. The two countries also announced seven outcomes, including the conclusion of a joint feasibility study on Bangladesh-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Prime Minister Hasina will leave Beijing for Dhaka tonight, wrapping up her bilateral visit to China. A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage will depart Beijing Capital International Airport at 10 pm (local time) tonight and is scheduled to land at 1 am (Bangladesh time). The premier was earlier scheduled to leave Beijing for Dhaka on Thursday morning. During her stay in Beijing from July 8 to 10, the Bangladesh Prime Minister had a delegation level bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Li Qiang today. Prime Minister Hasina held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing announce 7 outcomes, including completion of feasibility study on FTA

Bangladesh and China on Wednesday signed 21 cooperation documents, mostly MoUs, eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation between the two Asian countries. The two countries also announced seven outcomes, including the conclusion of joint feasibility study on Bangladesh-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The documents were signed and outcome announced after the delegation-level bilateral meeting led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. Hasina arrived in Beijing on Monday on a three-day official visit at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart. Briefing the media, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said Chinese Primer Li Qiang announced to provide one billion dollars for Bangladesh as economic assistance. The signed documents are MoU on strengthening investment cooperation in the Digital Economy; MoU on Banking and Insurance Regulatory between China National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) and Bangladesh Bank; Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements Export of Fresh Mangoes from Bangladesh to China; MoU on Exchange and Cooperation in the field of Economic Development Policy; MoU on Trade and Investment Cooperation; MoU on Strengthening Digital Economy Cooperation; Minutes of discussions on the Feasibility Study of the China-aid National Emergency Operation Center in Bangladesh Project; Exchange the Letters on the China-aid 6th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Renovation Project; Exchange the Letters on the Feasibility Study of China-aid Construction of Nateshwar Archaeological Site Park in Bangladesh Project; Exchange the Letters on the China-aid 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project; MoU on Strengthening the Cooperation in Medical Care and Public Health; MoU on Strengthening the Infrastructure Cooperation; MoU on Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development; renewing the MoU upon Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to Bangladesh; MoU between National Radio and Television Administration and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh; MoU between the China Media Group (CMG) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS); MoU between the China Media Group (CMG) and BTV; agreement between the Xinhua News Agency and BSS;  agreement between the Xinhua News Agency and BTV; renewing the MoU between the Ministry of Education of China and the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh and MoU Regarding Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Infrastructure Development. Other announced outcomes are commencement of negotiation on the optimisation of Bangladesh-China bilateral investment treaty; completion of the Modernization of Telecommunication Network for Digital Connectivity project; completion of trial run of the Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line project; commencement of  Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant; and signing of MoU between Shandong Agricultural University and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur; and the construction of Luban Workshop in Bangladesh. PM Hasina wrapped up her visit after holding a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jingping on Wednesday afternoon. The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave Beijing at 10pm (Beijing time) on Wednesday. Briefing the media, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said the Chinese Premier also said they give utmost importance to the relationship with Bangladesh. He said the Chinese Premier also expressed his desire to take the relations between Bangladesh and China to a new level. In a cordial environment there was a fruitful discussion between Bangladesh and China regarding all issues, said the foreign minister. Hasan said Li recalled the relationship that was planted through the 1952 and 1957 visits of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and with six visits of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the relations will be expanded further in the coming days. Sheikh Hasina invited the Chinese president, prime minister and others to visit Bangladesh next year to celebrate the 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both the leaders put emphasis on celebrating the golden jubilee of the diplomatic relationship in a befitting manner. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought Chinese cooperation to resolve the Rohingya issue. She put emphasis on reducing the trade gap with China. In reply, the Chinese prime minister talked about importing more Bangladesh products to his country.  Hasina requested her Chinese counterpart to import leather products, jute products, pharmaceutical goods, and ceramic products. Both countries have agreed to work together to establish world peace and uphold humanity across the globe. PM Hasina invited more Chinese investments in 100 special economic zones and Bangabandhu Industrial Park mentioning that Bangladesh has allotted one export processing zone for Chinese investors.  She pointed out Bangladesh’s desire to be included in BRICS in any format. Li assured her of their support regarding this inclusion.  Hasina sought Chinese cooperation so that Bangladesh could enjoy the LDC facilities at least three more years in its official graduation to middle income country after 2026. The Chinese prime minister gave a positive response.

Bangladeshi mobile financial service provider Nagad Ltd and Huawei Technologies have signed an agreement, which will provide world-class smart transaction experiences through Nagad. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing on Tuesday, according to a press release. Following this agreement, Nagad Digital Bank and Nagad’s existing mobile financial services will be integrated with cutting-edge global technologies. As a result, customers of the country’s first digital bank will enjoy international-standard transaction services anytime, anywhere, it said. Nagad mega campaign: 31 more winners receive attractive gifts Nagad founder and CEO Tanvir A Mishuk and President of Huawei South Asia Region and CEO of Huawei Bangladesh Pan Junfeng signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Chairman of Nagad Digital Bank Muhammad Farid Khan, were present at the time. Several ministers and senior officials of the Chinese government were also present at the event. At the time, Li Fei, Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce, praised Nagad’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economic growth and financial inclusion, said the media release. Farid Khan, Chairman of Nagad Digital Bank, said, “Nagad MFS has brought about a major revolution in Bangladesh’s financial sector over the past five years. Now is the time to take it to a global standard. Nagad and Huawei will jointly work to achieve this for Bangladesh. Nagad Digital Bank will play a unique role in this, which will significantly contribute to building a smart Bangladesh.” Proposal to expand social safety net positive: Nagad “To ensure the technological development required for a 100 percent cashless society, we have signed this agreement with the world-renowned company Huawei Technologies. Through this, our MFS and digital bank customers in Bangladesh will enjoy world-class services causing digital transactions to become more comfortable and affordable,” he also said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began her China visit on July 8. During this visit, several notable agreements and memorandums of understanding are being signed between the two countries, added the release.

Bangladesh and China are likely to sign around 20 MoUs and make announcements on inauguration of some development projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China that begins on Monday eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud came up with the updates while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (July 07, 2024) afternoon. “Bangladesh will seek China's assistance in the areas of investment and trade; financial assistance and repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. At the same time, Bangladesh will continue to provide support to China as its friend in the global context,” he said. Hasan expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China will be successful and fruitful. At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay the visit on July 8-11 which is expected to "outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation" in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs. On the third day of the visit on July 10, the Prime Minister will meet Premier and State Council of China Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, Hasan said. A reception will be organized in honor of the Prime Minister at the beginning of the meeting. There the Prime Minister will be given a guard of honor and received with due respect. At the same place, the Prime Minister and State Council of China will hold a bilateral meeting with high-level delegations from the two countries. The MoUs are likely to be signed in presence of the two leaders and inauguration of some projects will be announced. Hasan said there is a possibility of signing MoUs on economic and banking sectors, trade and investment front, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh, disaster management and people-to-people connectivity. The meeting will be followed by a banquet in honor of the Prime Minister, he said. In the afternoon of July 10, the foreign minister said, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with President of China Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Bangladesh and China will issue a joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister, he said. Earlier on July 9, the Prime Minister will have a meeting with Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in the Shangri-La conference titled "Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China." A business delegation from Bangladesh will visit China to participate in the conference. The Prime Minister will also hold a meeting with Wang Huning, Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). She will pay her tribute to the traditional Tiananmen Square. She will also attend a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing. Read more: Unlocking China’s market: Strategies for Bangladesh to enhance exports During the Prime Minister's visit to China, Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, State Minister fort Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other high level government officials will accompany the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will leave Dhaka at 11am by Bangladesh Biman Airlines special flight and will land at Beijing International Airport at 6pm local time in China on the same day. She will leave China on July 11 in a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and land in Dhaka at 2pm. Bangladesh’s Priorities Responding to a question, Hasan said Bangladesh’s development and economic cooperation will get the priority. He said there will be no agreements but only MoUs will be signed between the two countries. Asked about various Chinese proposals, Hasan said Bangladesh accepts any proposal when it meets Bangladesh’s needs and set parameters. “Any proposal from China is of course encouraging for us but we will take decision later after verification,” he said. Responding to a question on offshore banking, the foreign minister said it is open for all and any individual or company can avail of the opportunity in Bangladesh. Read more: Bangladesh to seek $7 billion fund from China to boost trade in business summit during PM's visit “If any country wants to keep money in our central bank they can but the important issue is that with whom we are comfortable,” he added.  Responding to another question, Hasan said the renewal of the MoU between Bangladesh Awami League and Communist Party of China (CPC) may take place later, instead of during this visit. He said a high-level AL delegation led by a presidium member will go to China later when the MoU can be renewed. Hasan said there is huge trade gap between Bangladesh and China and the two countries will explore ways to export more from Bangladesh lifting non-tariff barriers. He said Bangladesh has deep relations with China and the visit will help strengthen and widen the relations. Responding to a question on Teesta, Hasan said Teesta is a joint river shared with India and they have given a proposal which is good. Breakthroughs in Pragmatic Cooperation Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said they will reach an "important consensus" and sign multiple cooperation documents and MoUs in a number of areas during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to Beijing. The areas are infrastructure, free trade agreement, and agricultural product exports to China, Southern Bangladesh’s Development, digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education and cultural exchanges. Through this visit, China said, the two sides will achieve “new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation”, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, said the Ambassador who termed the forthcoming visit a milestone in bilateral relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday said this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first visit to China since her new term began and five years after her last visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with her. The two prime ministers will attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents. "Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and on regional and international issues of mutual interest," said the Spokesperson. Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh, she said. "We have similar visions for development and well-aligned development strategies. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and jointly advanced modernization," said the Spokesperson. She said they have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries. In recent years, with the strategic guidance and commitment of leaders of our two countries, the two sides have deepened Bangladesh-China strategic cooperative partnership, and had fruitful and practical cooperation in various fields. Read more: PM Hasina’s upcoming visit to boost China-Bangladesh cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, says Ambassador "China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and elevate our bilateral relations to a new level," said the Spokesperson. The Chinese side said it stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041”.