International: Former Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s ongoing visit to China will elevate bilateral relations and long-standing friendship between the two countries to a new level. According to the former envoy, Dhaka-Beijing relations are currently at a crucial juncture.

Speaking at a special event with a delegation of young leaders from Bangladesh at Yunnan University in southwest China’s Yunnan Province on Monday, Li described the Prime Minister’s visit as “highly significant.”

“This visit will open a new chapter in the friendship between our two countries, and both nations are about to witness a historic moment,” he said.

Recalling his years of service in Bangladesh, Li Jiming spoke emotionally about his experiences in the country.

“I had the opportunity to witness the courage and perseverance of the Bangladeshi people. During my tenure, Bangladesh achieved remarkable economic progress, and I was fortunate to see that transformation firsthand. That is why I consider myself a genuine friend of Bangladesh and always speak highly of the country in various forums and public events in China,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Li quoted a famous saying by Chinese leader Mao Zedong, telling the young Bangladeshi participants that the future ultimately belongs to the younger generation. He added that Bangladesh’s development and the bright future of Bangladesh-China friendship will largely depend on today`s youth.

The event was attended by a 22-member Bangladeshi youth delegation currently visiting China on a 10-day tour that began on June 21. The visit was organized at the invitation of the Center for China Studies (CCS) and the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). The discussion was held at Huichi Hall of Yunnan University in Kunming.

Addressing the event, SIIS President Chen Dongxiao said Bangladesh is one of China’s most important partners in South Asia.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our ties have continued to grow stronger on the basis of mutual respect, cooperation, and support, making the relationship a shining example of regional cooperation in South Asia,” he said.

Chen added that Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s visit would inject fresh momentum into the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. He also praised the Center for China Studies for its efforts over the past year in facilitating visits by young Bangladeshi leaders and diplomats to China, thereby contributing to sustainable development and mutual understanding.

Chu Xiongguang, Head of Bangladesh Studies at Yunnan University, emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people exchanges through language, education, and cultural cooperation. He noted that Bangladesh-China relations are not only based on diplomacy but are rooted in centuries of historical and cultural interactions.

According to Chu, nearly 20,000 Bangladeshi students are currently studying in China, including around 2,000 in Yunnan Province alone.

The event was chaired by Wu Yun, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Yunnan University.

The Bangladeshi delegation is led by Aga Mostafizur Rahman, a lecturer at the Institute of Modern Languages of the University of Dhaka. Other members include Additional Superintendent of Police of the Special Branch Shaon Shayla, Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Fazlul Karim, CPD Senior Research Associate Fakhruddin Al Kabir, along with academics and journalists from various institutions.

Information and Photo: CMG Bangla.