Beijing, 26 June (H.S.): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said China supports Bangladesh's new government and remains committed to advancing high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between the two countries.

According to China's state-run news agency Xinhua and other media reports, Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Chinese President said China seeks to develop a comprehensive blueprint for long-term strategic cooperation with Bangladesh. He emphasised expanding collaboration in green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging sectors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met President Xi Jinping on Friday morning. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, along with senior officials from both countries, was also present during the meeting. Rahman is on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Following the discussions, the two countries signed 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Premier Li also hosted a banquet in honour of the Bangladeshi delegation.

During the visit, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen party-to-party cooperation. Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying also met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the visit.

Addressing the Invest Bangladesh programme, Tarique Rahman highlighted investment opportunities in Bangladesh and invited Chinese investors to expand their presence in the country. The event was jointly organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

During his visit, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister also met representatives of several major Chinese industrial groups and investors, including the China International Development Cooperation Agency, China Railway Construction Corporation and China Road and Bridge Corporation. The discussions focused on enhancing investment, trade and cooperation in Bangladesh's development.

Prior to his visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman participated in the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, held in Dalian. On the sidelines of the summit, he met the prime ministers of several countries as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Economic Forum. During these meetings, he outlined the initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh's new government to address climate change.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on Friday evening, concluding his official visit to China.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar