China and Bangladesh pledge to fight external interference and boost economic cooperation
- President Xi Jinping said Beijing is willing to upgrade diplomatic ties in a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
China and Bangladesh have pledged to deepen economic cooperation and fight foreign interference.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced relations with Bangladesh would be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi had said “China … is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity to deepen high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, expand the breadth and depth of cooperation in various fields”.
He said: “The two sides should carry forward the fine tradition of mutual support and deepen political mutual trust. China supports Bangladesh in adhering to an independent foreign policy, following a development path that suits its national conditions … and opposing any external interference.”
Hasina is leading a delegation of political and business leaders on her first visit to the country since 2019.
She thanked China for supporting the country’s economic development, saying the country would “actively participate” in the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomed China’s backing for the country’s plans to become a developed nation by 2041.