Dhaka - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with Khaleda Zia, chairperson of Bangladesh's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the capital, Dhaka on Tuesday.

Xi lauded Zia's efforts to stregthen relations between China and Bangladesh.

"China and Bangladesh are good neighbors. This year is the 35th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries," Zia said.

"No matter how domestic and international circumstances change, the relationship between China and Bangladesh is always healthy," Xi said.

Xi arrived in Dhaka on Monday for a two-day official visit, the first leg of his four-nation tour from June 14 to June 24.

"We would like to promote the relationship with the BNP and other parties in Bangladesh based on equality, mutual trust, non-interference and make efforts to deepen the relationship between the two countries and two parties," he said.

Zia, who was twice prime minister, welcomed Xi to visit Bangladesh on behalf of all the party members and supporters of BNP.

On Monday, Xi offered a proposal to bolster bilateral relations during a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed.

That proposal included maintaining frequent high-level exchanges, expanding economic cooperation, exploring additional areas of cooperation and strengthening cultural exchanges.

He also said the Chinese government will continue to provide Bangladesh with adequate assistance, encouraging more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.

"We will continue to encourage and support the involvement of large Chinese companies in important development projects in Bangladesh and try to finance bilateral cooperative projects," he said.

"We believe with the joint efforts of both sides, the closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation from a strategic perspective and on the basis of the principles of longstanding friendship, equality and mutual benefit, will generate new progress and benefit both peoples," he added.

On international and regional issues, Xi said China is willing to cooperate with Bangladesh on regional cooperation, climate change, energy security and safeguarding the key interests of developing countries.

Hasina extended her appreciation for China's assistance in boosting social and economic development in Bangladesh, adding that Dhaka attaches great importance to bilateral relations.

Xi said China greatly appreciates the strong support Bangladesh has given to Chinese core interests like the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

Xi also met with representatives of the Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association (BCPFA) and other friendship organizations on Monday.

" We will expand exchanges between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, sports and tourism, and will support all friendship activities including the China-Bangladesh Friendship and Brightness Trip to consolidate the friendship between the two countries," Xi added.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/16/2010 page6)