China visits to take Bangladesh ties to new heights

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Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration and BNP Standing Committee member Md Ismail Zabiullah has stressed the need to strengthen communication, trust and cooperation to deepen Bangladesh’s friendly and strategic ties with China.

He said the latest visit by a delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office would further strengthen bilateral relations and create new opportunities for future cooperation.

He made the remarks at a reception organised by the Chinese embassy on Thursday ahead of the delegation’s visit to China on October 8.

Zabiullah said this was the second delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office to visit China. He urged the members to go beyond formal meetings and learn about China’s development experience through exchanges with government officials, entrepreneurs, academics and ordinary people.

“You are representatives of 180 million people. You cannot understand China only through formal meetings. You need to learn about its culture, institutions and people,” he said, stressing the importance of understanding how China had achieved such extensive economic and social transformation.

He said Bangladesh could learn from China’s long-term planning, infrastructure development, industrialisation, use of technology, innovation and successful implementation of development plans.

With China accounting for about one-third of global manufacturing, its development experience could offer important lessons for Bangladesh, he added.

Zabiullah said friendly relations between Bangladesh and China began during the tenure of former president Ziaur Rahman. The relationship had since expanded and deepened, evolving into a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

He said Bangladesh was also at a crucial stage of economic and administrative transformation. China’s experience could help the country diversify its economy, increase productivity, develop technology-driven industries and create employment opportunities for young people.

Emphasising people-to-people exchanges, he called for the introduction of an e-visa system for Bangladeshi citizens travelling to China. He also highlighted the need for arbitration support for entrepreneurs from both countries and greater cooperation in trade, investment, technology and human resource development.

Zabiullah said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was keen to further advance its existing relationship with China. He expressed hope that friendship and cooperation between the two countries would bring greater benefits to their people.

The reception was attended by the Chinese ambassador, senior embassy officials, members of the Prime Minister’s Office delegation and other officials concerned.