China Seeks to Deepen Engagement, Cooperation with All Major Political Parties in Bangladesh to Strengthen Longstanding Ties: Liu Haixing

China wants to maintain friendly relations with all major political parties in Bangladesh, regardless of which party is in power, said Mr. Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He made the remarks on Wednesday (November 4) at a roundtable titled “China-Bangladesh Political Parties Plus” and the inauguration of the Bangladesh-China Party and State Governance Studies Centre at a hotel in Dhaka.

Mr. Liu said China wants to increase communication and cooperation with all major political parties to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries. He said exchanges of experience and mutual cooperation between political parties could help advance bilateral relations.

The Chinese minister said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China had increased from $15 million to more than $23 billion over the past five decades. China’s cooperation in implementing infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and tunnels, has contributed to the economic and social development of the two countries.

He said China hoped that progress on important projects, including the Teesta River Restoration and Integrated Management Project and the Mongla Port Industrial Park, would benefit the people of both countries.

Mr. Liu said communication among political parties, governments, businesses, researchers, media outlets and social organisations needed to be strengthened to further develop Bangladesh-China relations.

He also expressed hope that the newly inaugurated Bangladesh-China Party and State Governance Studies Centre would play an important role in promoting exchanges of experience in governance, policies and development between the two countries.

Mr. Liu arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night (November 3) on a three-day visit. He is scheduled to leave on Thursday (November 5).