#Title

China Accompanies Bangladesh on Joint Expedition in New Era

In Celebration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
H.E. LI JIMING, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh
On October 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China, marking an end to the country’s century-long adversity and humiliation. The country, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), has set out on a remarkable journey towards national rejuvenation. Following the introduction of Reform and Opening-up in 1978, China has transformed from a country with relatively backward productivity to a world-class development powerhouse that benefits all.
Since the CPC convened its 18th National Congress in 2012, under the guidance of the Party with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, China has entered a new era on the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Over the past decade, China has secured fast economic growth while keeping long-term social stability. GDP of the country has grown at a yearly average rate of 6.6 percent. We have brought about a historic resolution to absolute poverty in China, thus built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, China always puts the people and life first, and strikes a dynamic balance between epidemic response and economic development. Switching to the next centennial goal to be a modern socialist country by 2049, China has adopted new philosophy and dynamics of high quality development that responds to the call of times.
In the meantime, the world is undergoing drastic changes unseen in a century. Peace or war, progress or regression, cooperation or confrontation? To answer the quests of history, China has put forward her own solution.
China vows to be a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, and defender of international order. We advocate a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. We endeavor to work with all to build a community with a shared future for mankind. We uphold true multilateralism. We promote a global community of security for all. We encourage consultation, cooperation and shared benefits in global governance. We promote humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. We reject any Cold-war mindset, group confrontation or unilateral sanctions.
To boost global development, President Xi put forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. By far, 149 countries, including Bangladesh, have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, making BRI the largest and widely welcomed platform for international cooperation in the world. Recently, President Xi further proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), aiming at helping accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
To secure world peace, President Xi has proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI). We call for commitment to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We deem that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries shall be respected. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter shall be abided by. Legitimate security concerns of all countries shall be taken seriously. Differences and disputes between countries shall be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation. Security in both traditional and non-traditional domains shall be maintained.
China and Bangladesh are amicable neighbors and indispensable strategic partners. Our friendly interactions could be traced back to centuries before. In the 1950s, Bangabandhu visited China twice. Throughout the 47 years of diplomatic ties, our profound and time-tested friendship has been passed on for generations. Over the past decade, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited China twice. In 2016, President Xi paid a historic visit to Bangladesh, and the two leaders ushered a new chapter for our bilateral relations by uplifting it to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. During the epidemic times, we have kept on highest level exchanges on highlighted occasions, such as the founding centenary of CPC, the golden jubilee of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
This year, the Hon’ble Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury met virtually with her Chinese counterpart Speaker Li Zhanshu. Then the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen cordially received the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In their interactions, the two sides renewed commitments to traditional friendship, reiterated the one-China principle, agreed to deepen strategic integration, and further enhanced practical cooperation, thereby jointly infused power of stability to the region and beyond against an uneasy international environment.
Among the multiple fields of our bilateral collaboration, economic cooperation is undoubtedly the most eye-catching. Last year, our bilateral trade exceeded 25 billion USD. China has granted 98% duty-free treatment to help boost Bangladesh`s export to China. Major projects funded or constructed by China have been completed, including the Payra Power Plant and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, both the largest of their kinds in the region. The Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center and the Bangamata 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge built with Chinese aid have been put into use. Other projects under construction, such as the Single Point Mooring System and the Karnaphuli Tunnel, have also made sound progresses and will be completed soon.
In the fight against COVID-19, Bangladesh and China always stand together. We help each other on vaccines, equipment and personnel. To take back the Bangladeshi students stranded during the pandemic, my Embassy has resumed visa issuance and chartered six flights designated for them.
Led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has grown from a boat into a cruise, forging ahead in spite of headwinds and currents. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China keeps devoted to joint development with Bangladesh. As President Xi said, the Chinese dream of the great national rejuvenation and the ‘Sonar Bangla’ dream are well connected. I call on all Bangladeshi friends to follow updates of the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CPC. It is to my deep belief that, under the capable leadership of our respective state leaders, the friendly bond between Bangladesh and China will surely remain close and strong, for long and for ever.