Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Liu Jianchao has expressed his optimism that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China would be very fruitful one.

"I think that the forthcoming visit by the Prime Minister is going to be a very fruitful one," he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.

The Chinese leader said they are very much looking forward to the visit by PM Hasina in about two weeks' time.

The minister is now visiting Bangladesh to discuss issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and China.

He arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day official visit.

"So we do have a lots of expectations, and I am sure that our two governments and government agencies will work out a general plan for the cooperation between our two countries in time to come," said the Chinese minister.

He said they had a very in-depth and comprehensive discussion on bilateral relations, the history of the relationship, and friendship.

"Thus, the friendship was cemented throughout these years, nearly fifty years after ...since our bilateral relation was established in 1975," Jianchao said.

He said China shares the interest and also the very strong inspiration, enthusiasm in working with Bangladesh in its drive for prosperity, for example the Vision-2041 and also goal to achieve a Smart Bangladesh.

And, China and Bangladesh can work in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, investment, manufacturing and also trade, he said.

"China remains a brand as a neighbour and a partner for your modernisation drives. So, we will do it within the framework of Belt and Road Initiative," he added.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan, the Chinese Minister said they also touched upon some regional and international issues.

"We do have very identical views on most of the issues and also stress on the interactions and the context when communicating between the political parties in two countries," he said.

The Chinese leader said they believe that the government policies very often originate from party lines. "So we believe that the kind of interactions between the political parties are very useful, it is helping of people to understand better each other and also it is helping the governments to formulate the reasonable and current policies to each other."

He said such interactions are important and this is the process of mutual learning.

Asked about likely documents to be signed, he said they expect agreements are going to be in the many areas. "We do sign agreements and you know, we promise and we deliver."

Responding to a question, the Chinese leader said they appreciate the generosity and humanitarian support from the Bangladesh government; and noted that the Rohingya issue is becoming more difficult.

He said China will continue to play a role in pursuing solution to the problem by working with different parties that related to the Rohingya issue.

The Chinese minister will meet President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Tuesday.

His trip is seen as part of regular exchanges of high-level visits, but the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China is likely to be discussed, MoFA sources earlier said.

PM Hasina's expected visit to China early July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China's commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.

Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh's aspirations for "Vision 2041" and the realisation of a "Smart Bangladesh."

"It will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter," Ambassador Yao told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar recently about Hasina's forthcoming trip.

The ambassador made the remarks when a reporter sought to know about a date of PM's Hasina's proposed visit next month.

Recently, Yao said Bangladesh and China should deepen their strategic partnership for cooperation and explore new growth points.

It will significantly advance development cooperation

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud had expressed his hope that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China will significantly advance the Dhaka-Beijing development cooperation between

Hasan was talking to reporters after a meeting with visiting Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Jianchao at a city hotel in Dhaka.

"His (Liu) visit (in Dhaka) before our prime minister's visit (to Beijing) is significant we are also looking forward to the (PM's) visit," said the foreign minister.

Hasan said issues related to trade and security would be given priority during the planned visit to China.

He sought China's cooperation in inclusion of Bangladesh in the BRICS in either form of membership or partnership.

He mentioned that China is Bangladesh's largest development and major trade partner and said they also discussed in reducing the trade gap between Bangladesh and China.

"We discussed the trade deficit. We import about $13 billion from China, whereas our exports are just under $1 billion," he said.

Hasan urged China to import world standard Bangladesh-made pharmaceuticals, leather and ceramic products to reduce the trade gap.

The foreign minister said he sought China's help in mounting pressure on Myanmar for commencing repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their land of origin in Rakhine.

He said Liu expressed Beijing's keen interest to increase Chinese investment in Bangladesh.

Hasan said the Gaza situation has also come up at the discussion while he said Dhaka expects to see more Chinese role over the issue.

Respinding to a question, Hasan said there was no discussion on the Teesta mega project during the meeting.

He said a delegation of Awami League senior members will visit China soon to increase political party level cooperation with Communist Party of China (CPC).

China backs Bangladesh's bid to join BRICS

Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Central Committee, Liu Jianchao has informed Bangladesh that China is in favour of expansion of the BRICS and they will strongly support Bangladesh to be a partner country of BRICS.

He also assured that China will positively consider allowing 'Duty Free Quota Free' (DFQF) facilities to Bangladesh beyond 2026.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday, the Chinese minister also assured Bangladesh of continued Chinese support to a durable solution of the Rohingya crisis through repatriation.

The Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the increased party-level engagements between Bangladesh Awami League and the Communist Party of China.

While thanking the Chinese government for allowing DFQF market access of 98% Bangladeshi products into the Chinese market, Hasan requested China to continue the DFQF access beyond 2026 when Bangladesh will graduate from the LDC status.

He also emphasized more exports from Bangladesh, especially pharmaceuticals, ceramics, leather, agricultural products (mango etc.) to China to reduce the trade imbalance.

The Foreign Minister also insisted on the early completion of the Chinese EPZ in Anwara, Chattogram.

He also showed interest in the construction of a second tunnel under the Karnaphuli river since the first tunnel under Chinese assistance has been completed successfully.

Mentioning the last meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August 2023, Hasan requested Chinese support for Bangladesh to become a partner country of BRICS.

He appreciated China's continued support for the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas and a durable political solution to this protracted crisis.

Hasan mentioned the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China early next month, during which PM Hasina is looking forward to meeting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss issues of mutual interests and take the relationship to a new height.

The Chinese Minister of IDCPC, who also served in the Chinese Foreign Ministry for more than 30 years, informed that it was his first visit to Bangladesh and he was overwhelmed by the dynamism and tremendous prospects of Bangladesh with its hard working spirit.

He remarked that Bangladesh is on the right path of prosperity and development, and China is happy to be the development partner of Bangladesh.

He expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the Padma Bridge rail link project being developed under Chinese assistance.