Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid separate courtesy calls on National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram and Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal at their offices on Wednesday afternoon.
During the meeting, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed described China as Bangladesh’s oldest and most trusted friend, noting that 1977 was a milestone in the history of bilateral diplomatic relations.
The Speaker said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman played a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties through his visit to China. Later, the 1991 visit of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia took the relationship to new heights, he added.
“People-to-people relations form the foundation of Bangladesh-China ties,” the Speaker said, emphasising that exchange visits of parliamentarians are crucial to increase parliamentary communication between the two countries.
He also stressed the need for swift implementation of a parliamentary friendship group between Bangladesh and China under the democratic system of governance.
The Speaker noted that Ziaur Rahman’s proposal to form SAARC was a revolutionary step that opened new horizons for cooperation in South Asia. China’s current presence as an observer in the organisation has added a new dimension to regional development, he said.
He also proposed that China play an important role in implementing the Teesta project and resolving the Rohingya crisis.
Ambassador Yao Wen said Bangladesh’s participation in the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Initiative is significant.
The envoy congratulated the Speaker on his election and presented a commemorative gift on behalf of the Chinese government. The Speaker, in turn, presented the Chinese ambassador with a memento featuring the symbol of the National Martyrs’ Memorial.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to taking bilateral relations and development partnership to new heights. They also discussed China’s role in resolving the Rohingya crisis and the current global energy crisis.
Senior officials of the Chinese embassy and concerned senior officials of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat were present on the occasion.
