Xi vows to deepen China-Bangladesh ties, restates backing for sovereignty

BEIJING (MNTV) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks Friday in Beijing with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Rahman landed in China on Wednesday for a three-day visit, his first official trip to the country since assuming office in February.

Xi said Beijing would continue to be a “trustworthy good friend, good neighbor and good partner” to Bangladesh, reaffirming China’s resolve to strengthen bilateral relations no matter how the international landscape shifts, according to an official statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.

China supports Bangladesh’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, opposes outside interference, and stands ready to step up strategic communication while maintaining mutual backing on matters touching each country’s core interests, Xi said.

Rahman reiterated Dhaka’s commitment to the one-China policy, calling China a trusted strategic partner and voicing interest in expanding cooperation across trade, infrastructure, agriculture, science, technology and public health.

A day earlier, Chinese Premier Li Qiang received Rahman at the Great Hall in Beijing, where the two sides signed 13 memorandums of understanding spanning various fields of cooperation, trade and investment.

China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade topping $24 billion, while Bangladesh’s yearly exports to China range from $1 billion to $1.16 billion.