Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcoming ceremony held by his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Hamid, upon his arrival at the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for a state visit, Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
DHAKA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- More development opportunities were displayed to Bangladeshis as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladeshi leaders on Friday agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation.
During his visit, the first by a Chinese head of state in 30 years, Xi hailed the fruitful close partnership and promised all-inclusive support to the South Asian nation.
The visit rendered a string of cooperation documents covering multiple areas as well as a joint statement about the upgrading of bilateral ties to the strategic partnership of cooperation.
The following is a summary of major high-level activities during the visit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) is received by his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Hamid, upon his arrival at the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Xi was received by his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Hamid, and given a 21-gun salute at the airport.
"I am looking forward to having in-depth and extensive exchange of views with Bangladeshi leaders on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern so as to draw up the blueprint for bilateral cooperation and jointly open up a new chapter for bilateral relations," Xi said upon arrival.
At a meeting held later with Hamid, Xi hailed major opportunities for China-Bangladesh ties. The two sides agreed to improve cooperation mechanism in various fields, and actively push forward the implementation of major projects in key areas, said Xi.
Both sides pledged to step up the construction projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and boost connectivity, development and prosperity in the region for the well-being of the two peoples.
The two countries also vowed to make unremitting efforts to implement the the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and push forward South-South cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
When meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina, Xi said China highly values its friendly cooperative ties with Bangladesh and will continue to offer support within its capacity for the economic and social development of the South Asian country.
The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative can dovetail with Bangladesh's cooperation strategies, Xi noted, stressing that practical cooperation should be reinforced to reap even richer fruits, so as to inject more impetus into bilateral ties.
The two sides vowed to strengthen the synergy of their development strategies, fully tap the potential for bilateral cooperation, and jointly push forward the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Bangladeshi National Assembly Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
During talks with Bangladeshi National Assembly Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, the Chinese president urged the two countries' parliaments to strengthen communication, increase public support to promote political mutual trust and align development strategies.
The two countries' relevant departments should provide a sound legal guarantee for the political, economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges, according to Xi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
President Xi also discussed with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia party-to-party exchanges between the two countries.
The Chinese side, Xi stressed, is ready to strengthen exchange of experience on party building with major Bangladeshi parties including the BNP, so as to increase mutual understanding.
Xi was warmly welcomed by locals and Bangladesh media, praising relations with China.
"OPTIMISM as Xi Jinping flies in," read the headline of top leading English-language daily, The Daily Star. Bangladeshi newspapers run heavy reporting of Xi's visit and Sino-Bangladesh bilateral issues.
All the TV channels have been providing special news bulletins on Xi's visit.
Screenshot of users' comments on the Facebook page of China Xinhua News on Oct. 14, 2016.
Heartfelt welcome was also delivered by common people who closely followed the event on social media, expressing the hope of accelerating bilateral all-round cooperation.
"Nice to see Mr. Xi Jinping president of China here in Bangladesh, wishing for a beneficial tour for both countries," said a netizen.
