Welcoming Chinese PM

Today China is a global power. It is already an economic powerhouse and its economy continues to grow and mature in leaps and bounds. Similarly, its role in Asia and the world in general is expanding every day.

China's standing in regional affairs has been vastly enhanced by the fact that the elements of conflict which had characterised its relationship with India are on the mend. Similarly, the relationship between Pakistan, long an ally of China, and India is also improving steadily. This rapprochement is good for the entire region including Bangladesh.

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Against this backdrop of changing regional dynamics, the visit to Bangladesh of the Chinese Prime Minister gains additional significance that transcends the bilateral relationship.

China has much to offer Bangladesh, and we feel that a good relationship between our two countries can be of considerable benefit to China as well. Currently, Bangladesh imports over a billion dollars worth of goods from China annually, and with direct road and air links between Bangladesh and Kunming in southern China, both-way trade can increase dramatically. For our part, we would want to increase our meagre $46 million of annual exports to China, and could benefit from more Chinese investment as well as technological and managerial assistance.

Most importantly for China though, is the fact that, together with Myanmar, Bangladesh can provide a bridge between southern China and India that would open up and transform the entire region. Thus, Bangladesh has much to offer, both to China and the region as a whole.

China's political leadership has been quite astute in recent times. It has been bold enough to open up the economy and strong enough to manage the ensuing changes, thus transforming China into the emerging superpower that it is today. The future can only be imagined. A fruitful relationship between Bangladesh and China should thus be one of the coveted goals for Bangladesh and we sincerely hope that the ties exemplified by this state visit continue to strengthen.