Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming .
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Saturday said Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is forging ahead in spite of headwinds and currents. "From my own three years' experience in this country, I can tell that a stunning pearl is rising from the Bay of Bengal," he said, adding that over the past decade, both Bangladesh and China have impressed the world with their incredible achievements.
Ambassador Li said China will stay devoted to joint development with Bangladesh and the world at large. "It is my deep belief that under the capable leadership of our respective state leaders, the friendly bond between Bangladesh and China will remain strong, for long and forever," he said.
Ambassador Li Jiming was speaking at a reception, celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center on Saturday night. Planning Minister MA Mannan spoke as the chief guest, highlighting Bangladesh-China cooperation.
Political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders and foreign affairs experts also joined the event. Ambassador Li said China vows to be an agent of world peace, contributor to global development, and defender of the international order.
"We advocate a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and endeavor to work with all to build a community with a shared future for mankind," he said, adding that they reject any cold-war mindset, group confrontation or unilateral sanctions.
The envoy said Bangladesh and China are indispensable strategic partners and friendly interactions between the two countries could be traced back to centuries.
In the 1950s, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice, the Ambassador said. Over the past decade, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the steps of the late Bangabandhu, also visited China twice.
In 2016, President Xi paid a historic visit to Bangladesh, and the two leaders ushered in a new chapter in bilateral relations by uplifting it to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, the envoy mentioned.
To take back the Bangladeshi students stranded during the pandemic, the Ambassador said they have restarted visa issuance, and will charter six flights designated for them, the first of which will take off on September 26.
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