Li Keqiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh

On the morning of July 4, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, who was in China for an official visit.

Li Keqiang expressed that Bangladesh is an important cooperation partner of China in South Asia, and the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have always understood and supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. In 2016, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to Bangladesh, during which the two countries established strategic cooperative partnership. The Chinese side is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with the Bangladeshi side, consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance non-governmental friendship, so as to push for new development of bilateral relations.

Li Keqiang pointed out that both China and Bangladesh are developing countries with large populations and important tasks to develop economy and improve people's livelihoods. The practical cooperation between the two countries is fruitful and enjoys great potential and broad prospects. The Chinese side stands ready to better synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Bangladesh's development strategy, and advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. China is willing to discuss the joint feasibility study on the free trade agreement, increase import of Bangladeshi high-quality products meeting the needs of the Chinese market, promote balanced development of bilateral trade, and facilitate bilateral investment and personnel exchanges. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Bangladesh's development. The two sides need to work together to build the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, in a bid to connect the huge market covering nearly 3 billion people, promote common development, better complement each other's advantages, and realize mutual benefit and win-win results. The two countries should intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs and play a positive role in regional peace, stability and development.

Sheikh Hasina congratulated on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and said that Bangladesh-China relations are at a high level. Both sides are committed to peace, stability, mutual benefit and win-win results, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means. The Bangladeshi side is ready to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Chinese side next year. Bangladesh is advancing the goal of "Sonar Bangla" at present. Bangladesh is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, accelerate the building of the BCIM Economic Corridor, press ahead with regional connectivity, and propel cooperation in trade, investment, service industry and infrastructure, so as to jointly embrace an even better future.

After the talks, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation agreements on investment, culture, tourism and water conservancy. The two countries will also issue a joint statement.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Sheikh Hasina at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Zhengwei, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng and others attended relevant activities.