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REPRESENTATIVE
China on Friday reiterated its commitment to bolstering relations with Bangladesh ahead of the visit of Bangladesh’s Interim Government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Hossain, from January 20 to 24.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China’s intent to enhance political mutual trust, deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and expand people-to-people exchanges with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, India has maintained its opposition to China’s BRI, citing sovereignty concerns. The Ministry of External Affairs previously stated that the initiative, introduced in 2013, passes through “parts of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, and ... reflects lack of appreciation of India's concerns on the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The Indian government has conveyed its objections to China and urged it to cease activities in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Guo underscored the strong diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh, stating, “China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbours. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, both sides have treated each other with respect and as equals, and supported each other on issues concerning respective core interests. We have set a good example of friendly interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation among countries.”
Looking ahead to 2025, which marks the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations and the China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchange Year, Guo reaffirmed China’s commitment to furthering bilateral cooperation. “China, as always, attaches great importance to growing its relations with Bangladesh. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties and the 'China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchange Year.' China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to strengthen interactions at various levels, enhance political mutual trust, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and exchanges and cooperation in other fields, and advance the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” he stated.
China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Strengthened During Dissanayake’s Visit
Guo also highlighted the outcomes of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to China from January 14 to 17. During the visit, Dissanayake met with President Xi Jinping, and both leaders witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements covering the BRI, agricultural exports, and social welfare initiatives.
Guo described the visit as significant for bilateral relations, stating, “At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a state visit to China from January 14 to 17. It was President Dissanayake's first visit to China after taking office and is of great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations. On January 15, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Dissanayake. The two sides reached important common understandings on deepening China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership and jointly building a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, making new strategic guidance for the development of China-Sri Lanka relations. The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the Belt and Road cooperation plan and multiple documents on bilateral cooperation, including the export of agricultural products to China, people's livelihood, and news and broadcasting, among others.”
Guo further emphasized China’s commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with Sri Lanka. “China attaches high importance to its ties with Sri Lanka in the neighbourhood diplomacy. China and Sri Lanka today have a historic opportunity to build on what has been achieved and take the relationship into the next chapter. China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to follow up on the important common understandings reached between the two leaders, deepen our strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, work for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, and bring more benefit to our two countries and two peoples,” he said.