China, Bangladesh pledge to boost military exchange, deepen cooperation

China and Bangladesh on Monday agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting between visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh and China have long been working closely in various fields and the cooperation has yielded fruitful results, said the Bangladeshi prime minister. Bangladesh thanked China for supporting its economic development and national defense construction, said Hasina.

Bangladesh is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, agriculture, infrastructure, among others, and jointly working on the building of the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, said Hasina.

She expressed hope that the two armies would maintain the current positive momentum of cooperation and enhance cooperation and exchanges in all areas and levels so as to promote greater development of bilateral military relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Her Excellency Hasina reached a series of consensus on bilateral relations, which charts the course for the development of bilateral ties, said Chang.

During the meeting, Chang also elaborated on China's position and propositions on the South China Sea issue.

The Bangladeshi prime minister said Bangladesh considers that the dispute should be resolved through bilateral negotiations between parties directly concerned, and not to be interfered by any third party.

During his visit to Bangladesh, Chang met with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Abu Esrar, as well as director of Armed Forces Division under the Bangladesh Prime Minister's office. Enditem