Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming on Thursday said that Beijing would continue to support Bangladesh fighting the pandemic till the “final and full victory”.
As Bangladesh’s good neighbor living in harmony, good partner along the course of development, and good brother sharing weal and woe, he said China will also continue standing firmly with Bangladesh on regional and global issues, such as maintaining peace and security, responding to climate change, achieving SDGs, securing free trade and open economy, and developing science and technology of the next generation.
The ambassador made those comments while speaking at a webinar ahead of the 72nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China to be celebrated on Friday.
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Agriculture minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Hasanul Haque Inu, President of Communist Party of Bangladesh Mujahidul Islam Selim, and Former Ambassador Munshi Fayez Ahmed were present, among others.
The Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum organised the event with its chairperson Dilip Barua, former minister, in chair.
The ambassador said two countries wade through all difficulties caused by the pandemic to advance cooperation in many aspects.
“The handover of the China-Bangladesh Friendship Exhibition Center marks a new starting point for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Hard-won progresses have been made in projects under the BRI, such as the Padma Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the Cox’s Bazar Airport Runway extension, and the DPDC Power System Network expansion. China's zero-tariff treatment for 97% of Bangladeshi goods has been officially implemented.”
“The People’s Liberation Army of China provided vaccines as a gift to the Armed Forces of Bangladesh to ensure the latter’s combat capability. Shan Mao & Jimmy’s Magic Puzzle, a Chinese cartoon in Bangla, has been broadcast on-air in RTV Panda Theater and widely welcomed by kids. Mr. Yuan Longping, who was a famous Chinese agricultural expert and passed away 4 months ago, was widely memorized in Bangladesh friends for his contributions to the promotion of the hybrid rice. The list of friendship records between the two countries goes on and on,” he said.
“With Bangladesh endeavoring to become fully developed by its 70th jubilee, and China embarking on a new journey towards its second centennial goal, there are infinite opportunities yet to be explored to uplift our Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a higher level.”
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The ambassador said President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent letters of congratulations to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on the National Day recently, which demonstrates the close relations between the leaders of our two countries.
“The year 2021 is a pivotal year in China’s centennial struggle to achieve national rejuvenation. It marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
“At the same time, this year also means much for my Bangladeshi friends when you celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh. It even bears extraordinary significance for the world,” he said.
