Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh`s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday (November 4). The meeting took place at 10:05 AM at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, accompanied by a high-level visiting Chinese delegation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged warm greetings with the delegation and held comprehensive discussions spanning diplomatic relations, development partnerships, and key bilateral priorities.

During the call, Liu Haixing conveyed warm regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In turn, the Prime Minister extended his cordial greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Liu Haixing noted that during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Beijing earlier this year, both nations issued a joint declaration heralding a new era of bilateral ties. Guided by that vision, he expressed keen interest in further expanding areas of mutual cooperation.

He reaffirmed that China’s support for Bangladesh’s modernization and socioeconomic progress remains steadfast, underscoring that Beijing`s commitment toward Dhaka remains unwavering and that bilateral ties are poised to deepen and grow stronger. He also conveyed full confidence in the vast potential of Bangladesh`s economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remarked that the bedrock of Bangladesh-China relations was laid during the tenure of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, and this bond has maintained a special place in the hearts of both peoples across generations. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is now the shared responsibility of current leadership to preserve this historical continuity and pass it on to future generations.
Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening party-to-party communications and institutional cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Liu Haixing affirmed China`s sincere willingness to diversify and broaden party-to-party ties, extending a formal invitation to a high-level BNP delegation led by its Secretary General to visit China.

The discussions also touched upon the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman highlighted the severe economic, social, demographic, and ecological pressures borne by Bangladesh due to the protracted presence of 1.3 million displaced Rohingyas, seeking China`s proactive and constructive cooperation in resolving the crisis. In response, Liu Haixing assured that China is acutely cognizant of the Rohingya predicament and pledged to personally apprise President Xi Jinping of the deep concerns expressed by the Bangladesh Prime Minister.

The meeting placed mutual emphasis on sustaining development cooperation alongside broadening direct exchanges between political entities and the peoples of both nations.
Present during the call from the Bangladesh side were BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Vice Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, MP, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.

Accompanying Liu Haixing were the Chargé d`Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, Dr. Liu Yuyin, along with senior Chinese diplomats.

Prior to calling on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Liu Haixing visited the mazar of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning to pay floral tribute, accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and senior political leaders.
Source: Lutfar, Nahar | China Media Group (CMG)