Dhaka-Beijing relations are “entering a new development stage” following the elections in Bangladesh, and China is ready to align its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Vision 2041 of becoming a developed country.
“The relationship with Bangladesh is always one of the priorities in China’s neighborhood diplomacy, which is making steady progress under the guidance of leaders of the two countries,” visiting Chinese minister of the international affairs department of the Communist Party Liu Jianchao said on Tuesday at a dialogue.
The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka hosted the event, styled “Looking Towards the Future of China-Bangladesh Relations: A Conversation with the CPC Delegation”, at the Renaissance Hotel in the capital.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen moderated the dialogue that brought together leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League and its associate bodies, BNP, Jatiya Party, JaSod, and Workers Party, as well as representatives from the business, academic, and media communities.
Liu Jianchao comes to Dhaka for the first time ahead of the prime minister’s bilateral visit to Beijing from July 8-11.
He said the prime minister’s visit will help uplift the relationship, engaging in new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.