President Xi Jinping underlined on Wednesday the importance of remembering the contributions made by the older generation of Chinese and Bangladeshi leaders in developing bilateral relations and called for efforts to continue this friendship.

Xi made the remark in a video speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bangladeshi independence.

Xi said that Mujib was an old friend and good friend of China, visited China twice and established friendship with the older generation of Chinese leaders

On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, Xi extended sincere greetings and best wishes to Bangladeshi President Md Abdul Hamid and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well as the Bangladeshi government and people.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as Mujib, served as the first president of Bangladesh and later as the country's prime minister from 1971 until his assassination in 1975.

Xi said that Mujib was an old friend and good friend of China, visited China twice and established friendship with the older generation of Chinese leaders.

READ MORE: UN to visit remote Bangladesh island since Rohingya moved

As Bangladesh's friendly neighbor, China is pleased to see that the country has made remarkable achievements over the past 50 years since its independence, Xi said.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 46 years ago, China and Bangladesh have respected and supported each other and treated each other on an equal footing, he said, noting that bilateral pragmatic cooperation has brought concrete benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Breakthroughs have been made in major projects with the participation of Chinese companies in Bangladesh and 97 percent of Bangladeshi products exported to China have been granted duty-free access, Xi said.

ALSO READ: India's foreign minister visits Bangladesh amid Rohingya crisis

The president stressed that he highly values developing China-Bangladesh relations and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to enhance the alignment of the two countries' development strategies, and jointly build the Belt and Road, taking their bilateral strategic partnership to a new level.