China vows deeper friendship, cooperation with Bangladesh: Liu

China on Wednesday expressed its commitment to deepening longstanding ties with Bangladesh through stronger political engagement, expanded economic cooperation and greater people-to-people exchanges, describing the bilateral friendship as a foundation for shared prosperity and development.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, we stand ready to work together with all sectors of society in Bangladesh to carry forward friendship, foster consensus, deepen exchanges and mutual learning," said Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Addressing a high-level seminar at InterContinental Dhaka, the visiting Chinese leader stressed the importance of transforming the two countries' traditional friendship into a driving force for future progress.

The seminar, titled "Where History Illuminates the Future: China-Bangladesh 'Political Parties Plus' Roundtable and Inauguration Ceremony of Bangladesh-China Centre for Party and State Governance Studies", was organised by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressed the seminar as the chief guest while Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Dr Liu Yuyin conducted the proceedings.

Prime Minister's Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, BNP Vice Chairman and former Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, senior leaders of the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP), foreign policy experts and business leaders attended the event.

Recalling his personal connection with Bangladesh, Liu said he had lived in Dhaka for two and a half years during his childhood when his father served as China's second ambassador to Bangladesh about 46 years ago.

"Coming here today after 46 long years, I have met many old Chinese friends who remembered my father with deep affection. This has truly touched me deeply," he said.

He said the warmth and sincerity of the Bangladeshi people, alongside their enduring support for bilateral friendship, had left a profound impression on him.

Liu identified historical trust, respect for sovereignty, expanding economic cooperation and growing cultural exchanges as the principal foundations of Bangladesh-China relations.

He said both countries remained committed to safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and national interests while pursuing mutually beneficial development.

Highlighting the steady expansion of economic ties, the Chinese leader said bilateral trade had increased from approximately US$15 billion to nearly US$23 billion in recent years.

He described Bangladesh as an important partner in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying Chinese-supported infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges and tunnels, had contributed significantly to Bangladesh's economic development.

Referring to future cooperation, Liu mentioned the Mongla Port Industrial Park and the Teesta River restoration initiative as projects offering opportunities for further collaboration and economic benefits.

He said China was also seeking to expand its imports of high-quality products from international markets, including Bangladesh, as part of its continued economic opening-up.

Highlighting China's development ambitions, Liu said the country's per capita GDP had reached approximately US$13,000, with plans to double the figure over the next decade.

He also outlined an ambition to expand China's middle-income population from 400 million to 800 million and reaffirmed the country's long-term objective of becoming a modern socialist nation by 2049.

On political cooperation, Liu said the CPC was interested in strengthening exchanges with Bangladesh's political parties and other stakeholders on governance, institutional development and party-building experiences.

Referring to the CPC's recent plenary session, he said China was ready to share its experiences and policy approaches, particularly those concerning party governance and institutional strengthening.

"We are ready to strengthen exchanges on the outcome of the Plenary Session, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, with political parties and all sectors of Bangladesh," he said.

Liu also emphasised the importance of broadening bilateral engagement beyond government-to-government cooperation to include political parties, young people, educational institutions, media organisations, think tanks and business communities.

Recalling the historic journeys of Buddhist scholars Xuanzang and Atisa Dipamkara Srijnana, he said cultural and intellectual exchanges had connected the peoples of the two countries for centuries.

He pointed to the nine China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridges as tangible symbols of the evolving partnership between the two nations.

Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, unilateralism and regional conflicts, Liu said Bangladesh and China should continue working together to promote international peace, stability and sustainable development.

He particularly stressed the need to engage younger generations to preserve and strengthen the friendship established by previous generations of leaders.

"History has bestowed on us a precious friendship that spans generations," he said, citing a Chinese saying that understanding the present requires learning from the past.

Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral relations, Liu reaffirmed China's willingness to work with Bangladesh across political, economic and social spheres.

"No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Bangladesh will always stand by each other and work together to ensure global peace, security and development," he said.

The Chinese leader concluded by expressing hope that the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and China would grow stronger through sustained cooperation and closer engagement between their peoples.