China, Bangladesh pledge closer cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Saturday with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Calling Bangladesh "a good neighbor, good friend and good partner," Xi said Beijing regards Bangladesh as an important cooperation partner in the South Asia-Indian Ocean region and stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Dhaka and expand bilateral cooperation in such key areas as trade, production capacity, energy development and infrastructure construction.

He urged the two countries to make a success of the activities marking the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties, boost cooperation in education and radio and TV services and between universities, and facilitate personnel exchanges.

The two countries should also maintain communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, Xi said, adding that China will provide assistance within its capacity for Bangladesh to cope with climate change.

Noting that the Chinese people are endeavoring to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and have launched the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Xi said China hopes to share the development opportunities with its neighbors and friends, including Bangladesh.

Beijing, he added, encourages Chinese companies to invest in Bangladesh and is willing to provide financing support for major cooperation projects the two sides have agreed to.

Also, China values the constructive role Bangladesh plays in promoting the construction of an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, and will work closely with all other sides to achieve results as soon as possible, added the Chinese president.

Hasina, for her part, said Bangladesh and China have built a close partnership since the establishment of diplomatic relations 40 years ago and Dhaka is grateful to China for its long-time assistance for Bangladesh's social and economic development.

Expressing her great pleasure to attend the South-South cooperation roundtable Xi hosted at the UN headquarters, she said her country and other developing countries deeply welcome the measures Xi announced at the conference.

Bangladesh, she said, is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as trade, finance, infrastructure construction and culture, and will actively participate in cooperation programs under the framework of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar corridor.

At the roundtable, co-organized by China and the United Nations, Xi announced, among others, a "Six 100s" initiative under which China will make available to developing countries in the next five years 100 poverty reduction programs, 100 agricultural cooperation projects, 100 trade promotion and aid programs, 100 environment protection and climate change programs, 100 hospitals and clinics, as well as 100 schools and vocational training centers.

Upon the 70th anniversary of the UN's founding, Xi is in New York for his first appearance at the UN headquarters after concluding his first state visit to the United States. Endi