Hand in hand to create a more prosperous future

President Xi Jinping with visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

October 1st is the 65th  anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On this jubilant occasion,  I would like, on behalf of Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the Chinese compatriots in Bangladesh, and express my sincere appreciation to Bangladeshi friends for their commitment, dedication and contribution to China-Bangladesh friendship.
In 2014, the Chinese people are striving new steps forward on the road of realizing the great “Chinese Dream” to build a socialist harmonious and moderately prosperous society in all respects. By carrying out new reforms and innovations, the year of 2014 marks China's initiative year of “Comprehensive Deepen Reforms”. Despite of intricate global economic environment and domestic economy facing downward pressure, China has continued to follow the general principle of making progress while maintaining stability. China has vigorously promoted reform in aspects of economic readjustment, structure upgrading, domestic and international demands balance, new technology launching, social equity promotion, environment protection and others.  As a result, China has maintained stable economic performance. In the first half of the year, the Chinese economy registered a 7.4 percent growth,  and CPI rise was kept at 2.3 percent. China remains world's 2nd largest economy, with its foreign trade volume the second largest and the foreign exchanges reserve the biggest in the world.
China's development and progress has input positive energy for maintaining world peace and security. The Chinese nation has always placed emphasis of the virtue of associating with benevolent gentlemen, befriending good neighbors and coordinating myriad nations. To fulfill our neighborhood diplomatic theory of “amity”, “sincerity”, “mutual benefit” and “inclusiveness”, China will step further to our cooperation initiatives including the Economic Belt along the Silk Road, the Maritime Silk Road for 21st Century(“One Belt and One Road”), which are aimed at strengthening interconnectivity and achieving shared prosperity among countries along the historical trade routes.

Primer Li Keqiang with visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

The South Asia, which represents a promising sub-continent with tremendous potential, is the priority of cooperation of China's neighbourhood diplomacy. China is willing to live in amity with its South Asian neighbors and make every contribution to the development of this region. By proposing “One Belt and One Road”, China hopes to boost the interconnectivity of countries along the traditional land and maritime Silk Road, to make our economy prosperous, our trade complementary, and our people's hearts connected. With “One Belt and One Road” as wings, China wants to take off together with South Asian nations.
For 39 years since the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, thanks to unremitting efforts of both Governments and peoples, China-Bangladesh relations always enjoy healthy and steady momentum. Development is a shared strategic goal for China and Bangladesh, and China regards Bangladesh as a natural development partner. China has been providing social and economic assistance to Bangladesh development and seven China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridges and Bangabandhu International Conference Centre are the symbols of China and Bangladesh friendship. As China is undergoing industrial upgrade and restructure and Bangladesh economy is on a fast track, the two countries can complement each other and a great potential of cooperation is to be explored.
In June of this year, H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Hon'ble Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, paid a successful visit to China, during which the top leaders of two countries reached broad consensus on the future cooperation, bringing the bilateral relations to a new height. One of the MOU is about the establishment of China Economic and Industrial Zone, which will attract huge investment from Chinese businessmen, who are looking for cheaper labor cost and favorable investment environment. China supports Bangladesh to host the second Joint Study Group Meeting of BCIM Economic Corridor, and is consulting with the Bangladeshi side to conduct some early harvest projects in the areas of infrastructure, energy and poverty alleviation.
During his visit to India, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, announced that China will increase its investment in South Asia up to 30 billion US dollars, and provide consessional loans of 20 billion US dollars to the region in the next five years.At the same time, China will also,  provide 10000 scholarships, 5000 training opportunities, 5000 exchange/training opportunities for youth, and 5000 training opportunities for Chinese teachers, to South Asian nations. As an important member of South Asia, Bangladesh will surely benefit from those initiatives.

The year of 2015 will be the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. China and Bangladesh have agreed to commemorate this grand event by jointly organizing various events and activities throughout the year. As peoples from China and Bangladesh cherished brotherly friendship each other, I believe that these events and activities will bring the hearts of the two peoples closer and make us united as one, to create a better future of China-Bangladesh relations.
May Bangladesh enjoy peace and prosperity forever.
May China-Bangladesh friendship last forever.

Qu Guangzhou Charge d'Affairs of Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Bangladesh