Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged long-term support for Bangladesh's development and expressed China's readiness to support Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's development vision, as the two leaders held talks in Beijing aimed at taking bilateral relations to new heights.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir disclosed the details while briefing reporters at the Diaoyutai State Guest House following the meeting.
During the talks at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi told Prime Minister Tarique Rahman that China will remain a trustworthy friend of Bangladesh in its development journey, the adviser said.
He said President Xi stressed that the friendship and partnership between the two countries will not be temporary but will constitute a long-term commitment by the People's Republic of China, under his leadership, to Bangladesh's development.
"President Xi emphasised that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit will further accelerate the development of our country in every way," Humaiun said.
He said the Prime Minister also held a rare one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping following their official bilateral talks.
Humaiun described the private meeting as “unprecedented”. "This is an unprecedented event. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a one-on-one meeting with His Excellency Chinese President Xi Jinping,” he said, adding that it reflected the importance China attaches to both Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Bangladesh.
He said China stands ready to support Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's vision for Bangladesh's development, economic transformation, regional cooperation and stability.
The adviser also said the Chinese President praised Tarique Rahman's vision and expressed full confidence in his leadership.
He also said China expressed support for Bangladesh's aspiration to join BRICS and become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), while backing Dhaka's interests regarding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could significantly enhance Bangladesh's access to regional markets.
Earlier in the day, Humaiun said Tarique Rahman held a meeting with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress of China. Zhao is widely regarded as one of China's most influential leaders, serving as the third-ranking member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo and holding a position equivalent to that of a parliamentary speaker.
During the meeting, he said Zhao reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development and prosperity under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership.
The adviser said Zhao underscored China's strong alignment with Bangladesh's development priorities and assured continued Chinese support, including a constructive role in advancing the country's development agenda.
According to him, the Chinese leader highlighted prospects for cooperation in a range of sectors, including health, education, skills development, vocational training, water resources management and river management.
Humaiun said Zhao also conveyed that China viewed Bangladesh's leader as a close partner with whom it was keen to work more closely.
He quoted Zhao as saying that by working together, Bangladesh and China could become a united force representing the interests and aspirations of the Global South.
"This demonstrates the importance China's leadership at every level has attached to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's historic visit," the adviser said.
He said the Prime Minister's engagements with Chinese business leaders and representatives of various industries were expected to generate billions of dollars in investment commitments.
In addition to investment opportunities, discussions also covered concessional financing and grant assistance.
"At a time when grant financing has become increasingly scarce globally, China has pledged grants worth more than US$300 million," Humaiun said.
Summing up the visit, he described it as both historic and transformative.
"This visit has not only been historic, but has also marked the beginning of a new era. It has highlighted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, his vision for Bangladesh's development, and his approach to regional cooperation and stability, which are gaining recognition among major world leaders," he said.
The adviser also said the visit to China will remain a historic milestone from which Bangladesh could project a stronger and more positive influence across the region and beyond.