Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stated that China is prepared to expand its flagship Belt and Road cooperation with Bangladesh during his meeting with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing.
Xi's Remarks on Cooperation
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi expressed China's support for Bangladesh's new government following the February elections, which ended a period of political instability. He emphasized China's willingness to work with Bangladesh to advance "high-quality" Belt and Road cooperation.
Xi noted that Beijing is ready to jointly identify key areas of cooperation and explore opportunities in green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging sectors, as reported by Xinhua.
Background of the Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, is a major global infrastructure and economic development program. It aims to enhance connectivity across Asia, Africa, and Europe through investments in railways, ports, highways, and energy projects, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road to promote trade.
Joint Declaration on Bilateral Relations
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, in a series of posts on X, announced that the two leaders jointly declared the decision to build a "China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era," elevating bilateral relations to a higher level.
Mao quoted Xi as saying that China has consistently attached great importance to developing relations with Bangladesh and adheres to a policy of good-neighbourliness and friendship. "No matter how the world changes, China will not waver in its commitment to the general direction of building friendship with Bangladesh and will always be a trustworthy, good friend, good neighbour, and good partner of Bangladesh," Xi said.
Support for Sovereignty and Independence
Xi also reaffirmed China's support for Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while opposing foreign interference, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "China supports Bangladesh in upholding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejecting foreign interference," the post added.
Rahman's Official Visit
Rahman is currently on a four-day official visit to Beijing at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This visit marks the second leg of his maiden overseas trip after assuming office. Prior to visiting China, the Bangladesh Prime Minister was in Malaysia.
