Bangladesh

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the People's Republic of Bangladesh continued to grow with exchanges and cooperation deepened in various fields.

Exchanges between the two countries were close at all levels, and political mutual trust was enhanced. In July, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in Brunei during the East Asian Foreign Ministers' Meetings. In September, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New York during the UN General Assembly. In the same month, Vice President Li Yuanchao met Speaker of the Bangladeshi National Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in Kunming on the sidelines of the "International Day of Peace 2013 and China-South Asia Peace and Development Forum". In June, Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque visited China. In the same month, Bangladeshi Minister of Industries Dilip Barua and International Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Gowher Rizvi attended the first China-South Asia Expo as representatives of the guest of honor nation. In October, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni visited China, during which she met with Vice President Li Yuanchao and had talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In December, Foreign Secretary Haque attended the first meeting of the BCIM Economic Corridor's joint study group in Kunming.

The two countries had active party-to-party and military-to-military exchanges. In August, General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladeshi Army, visited China. Chinese Navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" visited Chittagong. In September, Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladeshi Air Force Muhammad Enamul Bari visited China. The Young Cadre Delegation of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party and leaders of left-wing parties visited China respectively.

Business cooperation yielded fruitful results, and the bilateral trade volume grew rapidly. Projects undertaken by the Chinese side, including the Padma Water Treatment Plant and the Shahjalal Fertilizer Company, made smooth progress. The 3G network project was officially put into commercial operation.

Consular relations between the two countries continued to grow, and cultural exchanges further deepened. In October, the Bangladeshi Consulate- General in Kunming was inaugurated, bringing greater convenience to friendly people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Signature cultural events such as the "Happy Chinese New Year" activities and the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for college students were held as usual.

Source: fmprc.gov.cn