Diplomatic Correspondent: Bangladesh and China are expected to sign approximately 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and announce several development projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China, which begins on Monday.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud provided updates during a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday afternoon. He mentioned that Bangladesh will seek China’s assistance in investment, trade, financial aid, and the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. Concurrently, Bangladesh will continue to support China as a friend on the global stage.
Hasan expressed optimism that the Prime Minister’s visit to China will be successful and fruitful.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, shared that the visit will result in an “important consensus” and the signing of multiple cooperation documents and MoUs in areas such as infrastructure, free trade agreements, agricultural exports to China, development of Southern Bangladesh, the digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education, and cultural exchanges.
Invited by Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit is anticipated to “outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation” in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their regional and international affairs positions.
Ambassador Yao Wen termed the visit a milestone in bilateral relations, predicting new pragmatic cooperation breakthroughs that will benefit both nations’ people.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted that this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first visit to China since her new term began and her first in five years. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Hasina, and Premier Li Qiang will host a welcoming ceremony and hold talks with her. The two prime ministers will also attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.
Leaders of the two countries will have in-depth discussions on deepening traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, and addressing regional and international issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business, and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh.
The spokesperson emphasized that the two countries share similar visions for development and have well-aligned strategies. Since establishing diplomatic relations 49 years ago, China and Bangladesh have respected each other, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, and supported each other’s core interests, jointly advancing modernization.
She noted that recent years have seen deepened strategic cooperative partnerships and fruitful practical cooperation across various fields. The Chinese side is ready to use this visit to further deepen political mutual trust, align development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together towards the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041.”
