Xi calls for more China-Bangladesh parliamentary exchanges

The parliamentary bodies of China and Bangladesh should enhance dialogues to boost mutual political trust, President Xi Jinping said Friday while meeting with Bangladeshi National Assembly Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.

Noting that cooperation between the two countries' parliamentary bodies is a significant component of China-Bangladesh ties, Xi said China appreciates the great importance the Bangladeshi National Assembly attaches to developing a bilateral relationship.

The Chinese president pointed out that China and Bangladesh are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. He added that the two countries have great potential in dovetailing development strategies.

Chowdhury hailed Xi's state visit as a milestone saying that she believes it will bring bilateral ties to a new height.

Bangladesh looks forward to enhancing cooperation with China on trade, investment and infrastructure construction under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, she said.

Chowdhury added that the Bangladeshi parliament is willing to make a contribution to deepening ties.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

The Chinese president is paying a state visit to Bangladesh from Friday to Saturday. He is the first Chinese president that has visited Bangladesh in the past 30 years.

Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, is the second stop of Xi’s trip after Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is scheduled to fly to Goa, India, to attend the eighth BRICS Summit over the weekend.