China considers Bangladesh important partner in South Asia: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping on his arrival to Dhaka has said that China considers Bangladesh as “an important partner” in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

“We are ready to work with the Bangladeshi side to further deepen our political mutual trust and elevate our relations and practical cooperation to a higher level,” Xi said in a statement to Chinese media at the airport, China Daily reports.

Xi Jinping is paying a state visit to Bangladesh from Friday to Saturday, first by a Chinese president in the past 30 years.

His Bangladesh counterpart Md Abdul Hamid received him at the airport at 12:06pm with full state honours.

Connectivity and infrastructure development are the main focus of the visit as he comes to push forward his flagship ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.

“In the 41 years of our diplomatic relations, China-Bangladesh ties have kept moving forward,” Xi said in the statement.

The Chinese president pointed out that China and Bangladesh face similar challenges of development.

According to 'China Daily', he said the “Chinese dream” to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is “in perfect harmony” with Bangladesh's dream of a “Sonar Bangla”.

“I look forward to having broad and in-depth exchange of views with President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other Bangladesh leaders on China-Bangladesh relations and issues of mutual interests to chart the course for our future cooperation and jointly usher in a new chapter in our bilateral relations,” he added.

Xi Jinping was at the Prime Minister’s Office where he will hold official talks and along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will witness signing of number of MoUs and deals between the countries.