China-aided friendship bridge inaugurated in Bangladesh

The China-aided 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge was inaugurated on Sept 4. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming, and Bangladeshi Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attended the inauguration ceremony.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (center) attends the inauguration ceremony of the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Sept 4, 2022. [Xinhua]

Hasina extended her appreciation to the Chinese government for their assistance in the project, saying that the opening of the bridge will inject more vitality into local economic development.

Li said that China and Bangladesh are good neighbors, friends and partners. China is willing to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Bangladesh, explore new opportunities under the Global Development Initiative, achieve integration and connectivity between the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and the Bangladeshi dream of a "Golden Bangladesh", and forging ahead jointly to build a beautiful future for the people of the two countries.

The 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge is located about 5 kilometers east of Pirojpur, Barishal Division in southern Bangladesh. Crossing the Kocha River with a total length of 2.96 kilometers, it connects the Khulna Division and the Barishal Division and is a key transportation hub in the southwest of Bangladesh. The bridge will provide great travel convenience to local residents and facilitate the development of agricultural, industrial, aquatic and fishery, and tourism industries in southern Bangladesh.

A photo of the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge taken in the Barishal Division on Sept 4, 2022. [Xinhua]