China, Bangladesh pledge to boost cooperation

China and Bangladesh on Sunday agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting between visiting Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan and Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid.

Bangladesh and China have long been working closely in various fields and the cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Xinhua news agency quoted the Bangladeshi president as saying.

Bangladesh has always stood together with China on issues concerning China's core interests and international affairs. The country also firmly supports the China-proposed "Belt and Road" Initiative, said Hamid, adding Bangladesh is willing to have sincere collaboration with China as the two countries jointly promote regional prosperity and development.

He expressed hope that the two armies would maintain the current positive momentum of cooperation and enhance cooperation and exchanges in all areas and levels so as to contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

For his part, the Chinese defence minister said China and Bangladesh have witnessed healthy and stable development in exchanges and cooperation in various fields since the two countries established diplomatic relations 41 years ago.

China is willing to work together with relevant countries, including Bangladesh, to actively promote the "Belt and Road" initiative and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, to bring tangible development benefits to the people of the countries and advance regional peace and stability, said Chang.

Friendly cooperation between the two armies has grown steadily and rapidly in recent years, with frequent high-level visits, continuously deepening pragmatic cooperation and fruitful cooperation on personnel training, the minister said.

He expressed hope that the two armies would earnestly implement the important consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and strengthen friendly cooperation to provide strong support and guarantee to bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Chang also elaborated on China's position and propositions on the South China Sea issue.

The Bangladeshi president said his country firmly supports China's position on the South China Sea issue and believes the disputes should be resolved through direct negotiation and consultation by parties concerned.

--IANS

lok/