China and Bangladesh issued a joint communique in Dhaka Friday, praising the development of bilateral relationship.

"The visit of Premier Wen Jiabao was a great success and further raised the bilateral relations between China and Bangladesh to new heights," says the communique.

Both sides declared the year 2005 as the "Year of China-Bangladesh Friendship" in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to the communique.

It says the two sides reviewed the progress of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago and highly praised the fruitful cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in the fields of political affairs, economy, social development, culture, etc.

It notes the two sides believed that consolidating and further developing traditional China-Bangladesh relations and exploring new areas of cooperation, served the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and contributed to regional peace, stability and development. The two sides agreed to establish a Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality, and mutual benefit.

It says the two sides agreed to continue the frequent contacts and exchange of visits between the senior leaders of the two countries, intensify the friendly exchanges between government agencies, parliaments, political parties, armed forces, and non-governmental organizations of the two countries with a view to promoting the comprehensive, in-depth, and stable development of the bilateral relations.

According to the communique, the two sides agreed to maintain and reinforce the annual diplomatic consultation mechanisms between the two countries in order to share views on bilateral relations and important international and regional issues in a timely manner.

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries would conduct multi-level exchanges on various occasions to enhance mutual understanding, coordination, and cooperation.

Wen paid an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He left for Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, late Friday to continue his four-nation tour to South Asia.
 
(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2005)