President Xi Jinping sends a video message to an event held by Bangladesh marking the centenary of its founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth, and also in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence on March 17. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
President Xi Jinping underlined on March 17 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.
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.
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.
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.
China has also been unwaveringly supporting other countries, especially developing ones, in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted on March 16 that China stands ready to enhance vaccine cooperation with Guyana as well as Trinidad and Tobago to fight the pandemic.
He also called on the two countries to play an active role in promoting China’s relations with Caribbean countries and with the entire region.
Xi made the remarks in phone conversations with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking with Ali, Xi said that China and Guyana, though geographically far from each other, have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in all fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Faced with the impact of the virus, the two-way trade volume between the two countries last year increased against the odds and has great potential, Xi said. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana.
Xi called on both sides to take this opportunity to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, push forward the joint building of the Belt and Road and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as energy and infrastructure.
Ali thanked China for providing generous assistance to help his country fight the virus and appreciated the important leading role played by China on many global issues.
When speaking with Rowley, Xi said that China will continue to support Trinidad and Tobago in combating COVID-19, consolidate traditional cooperation in areas such as energy, telecommunications and infrastructure, and expand cooperation in new areas including new energy and the digital economy.
As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN, Xi said that China will never forget the precious support from Trinidad and Tobago. Xi said he appreciates Trinidad and Tobago’s support for China’s legitimate position on issues concerning the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
Rowley extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Earlier this month, in a phone conversation with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Xi said that China is willing to provide COVID-19 vaccines within its capabilities to Poland in accordance with the European country’s demand.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Poland have been looking out for and helping each other, with the two sides engaging in cooperation in pandemic prevention and control as well as resumption of work and production, which opened a new chapter in their friendship, he said.
During his telephone conversation with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, the Chinese president pointed out that since last year the Chinese and Tajik people have stuck together through thick and thin, joined hands in unity and coordination, and achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields, especially in battling the pandemic.
In February, during a phone conversation with Colombian President Ivan Duque, Xi said that China stands ready to continue to provide as much support as it can for Colombia’s fight against COVID-19 and to carry out vaccine cooperation with the country.
Xinhua contributed to this report.
