China will work with Bangladesh for a better future of bilateral friendship on the current sound basis, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Dhaka Sunday evening.  

Jia, who arrived here Sunday at the invitation of Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, made the remarks at a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Jia spoke highly of the substantial development of the two countries' cooperation in various fields, including international and regional affairs.

China is satisfied with the smooth development of bilateral relations, noted Jia, adding that the new Chinese leadership attaches great importance to bilateral relations.

He went on to say that China has always taken Bangladesh as a good neighbor, good friend and good partner, and that it appreciates Bangladesh's firm support for China on issues concerning China's sovereignty and its one-China policy.

He said there are a sound basis and great potentials for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and that enterprises of both countries should expand cooperation.

Echoing Jia, Zia said China is the most trust-worthy friend of Bangladesh and that China's assistance in the past years has played a very important role in the country's economic and social development.

She said Bangladesh places great importance on its relations with China and hopes for a stronger China, more high-level contacts, and more exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

She welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh and conduct cooperation.

In a separate meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, Jia talked about China's foreign policy of treating neighbors in a friendly way and as partners.

He said China holds that all countries, big or small, should treat each other on an equal footing and conduct reciprocal cooperation.

He voiced his appreciation for Bangladesh's foreign policy and positive role in major international and regional affairs.

Morshed Khan pointed to China's increasing role in international affairs and said Bangladesh appreciates China's support for non-alignment movement.

Bangladesh is the third leg of Jia's visit to five south Asian countries.

Jia has visited India and Sri Lanka before arriving here and is also scheduled to visit Nepal and Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2003)