China ready to be Bangladesh's trusted development partner, Wang says

China is ready to carry forward its traditional friendship with Bangladesh, deepen political mutual trust and practical cooperation, and serve as Bangladesh's most trustworthy partner as the country advances its national development, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks in Beijing during talks with visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who began a three-day visit to China on Tuesday, his first trip to the country since Bangladesh's new government took office in February.

Describing China-Bangladesh relations as increasingly mature and stable after withstanding changes in the international landscape, Wang said China supports Bangladesh's new government in safeguarding unity and stability, revitalizing the economy and improving people's livelihoods.

China is willing to continue providing Bangladesh with support and assistance within its capacity, he said.

Wang said China stands ready to better align high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Bangladesh's national development strategies, deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, water conservancy and people-to-people exchanges, and expand collaboration in emerging sectors including green development and the digital economy.

China supports capable Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Bangladesh, he added.

Wang also said China's development of relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian countries is not directed at any third party, nor should it be affected by any third party.

He expressed China's willingness to strengthen communication and cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral institutions and regional cooperation frameworks, so as to contribute to peace and development in the region and beyond.

Rahman told Wang that China has always been a trustworthy and indispensable friend and partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh's new government attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle, he said.

Bangladesh appreciates China's long-standing support and assistance, and looks forward to further deepening all-round friendship and cooperation with China, he added.

He welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh, saying his country is willing to provide a stable, favorable and predictable business environment.

Bangladesh highly appreciates China's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and its global initiatives, Rahman said, adding that Bangladesh is ready to strengthen coordination with China and jointly uphold multilateralism.