Marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and China, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that Beijing attaches great importance to its relationship with Bangladesh.In a congratulatory letter addressed to Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday,President Xi focused ontwo particular aspects - traditional friendshipand long history of exchanges between us two countries.On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus also exchanged congratulatory messages marking our bi-lateral ties.
However, over the past 50 years, Bangladesh and China have established a bonding rooted in mutual respect, trustand enduring cooperation -ensuring noticeablemutual benefits to both countries.We also appreciate China's significant role in promoting regional peace, stability and common prosperity while offer our profound gratitude to China's long-term valuable support for Bangladesh's sustainable development.
Needs be mentioned, China has remained Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Since last August, over 20 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladeshi partners following a total intended investment exceeding US$800 million. China has also become the largest source of FDI in Bangladeshsince the Interim Government assumed office. Both sides have adhered to mutual support.
Both countries together, provided joint medical care for victims of the July Uprisingwhile China delivered urgent aid to children injured in the recent jet crash. By the end of September this year, the number of personnel exchanges between China and Bangladesh had exceeded 200,000, bringing our peoples ever closer together in friendship and mutual understanding. Moreover, Exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, defense, culture, education, health, sports, media, and youth affairs have grown steadily closer.
The spirit of addressing challenges together has mostly defined the essence of China-Bangladesh relations. China supports the Interim Government of Bangladesh in its governance and support all efforts for holding the upcoming general electionssuccessfully, and in order to pursue a development path, conducive toour domestic conditions.
While celebrating the golden jubilee of our diplomatic ties,both countries now stand at a new historical starting point. It is only positive that, China remains committed to continue working with Bangladesh in materializing our shared visions. Thus, we look forward to pen a new chapter in building a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future. That said - during the past 15 years BD-CHINA ties often struggled due to a fascist regime's abnormal dependence on another neighbor country's unwarranted interference.
Last but not least, current and future challenges in our ties, however, includes today's fast changing geopolitical equations and regional tensions.And it is important for both countries to jointly navigate through these newer challenges, so that none of the two countriessuffer or becomes a target of regional or global conflicts.
