Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal has said the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming state visit to China in late June will usher in a “new horizon” in bilateral relations.
The visit will be the prime minister’s second abroad since the formation of the government, he added.
Speaking at the 7th China–South Asia Co-operation Forum in Kunming, Yunnan Province on Thursday, Kamal expressed confidence that the trip would further advance comprehensive strategic co-operation between Bangladesh and China.
He highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two countries, noting that the late president Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation for diplomatic relations through his visits to China in 1977 and 1980, while former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s trips in 1991 and 2002 significantly strengthened ties.
Kamal also recalled Ziaur Rahman’s vision for regional stability, including his initiative in forming the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).
Addressing contemporary global challenges, he warned that issues such as the energy crisis, climate change, rising debt in developing countries, and global trade instability cannot be tackled by any single nation alone, making regional co-operation indispensable.
To mitigate these challenges, the deputy speaker advocated for enhanced connectivity through digital and economic initiatives, cross-border infrastructure, trade corridors, and digital highways. He also emphasised boosting people-to-people ties through education, cultural exchanges, tourism, and youth programmes.
The parliamentary delegation included Akhtar Hossain MP (Member Secretary of NCP), Engineer Khaled Mahbub (BNP MP), and Jesmin Sultana Jui (Independent MP from a reserved seat).
