China Considers Bangladesh As A Strategic Partner: Xi Jinping

"Bangladesh is a very important country in the Indian Ocean due to her strategic location. Bangladesh-China relationship is a strategic relationship and Chinese government is working with Bangladesh considering that perspective," he said.

Chinese President said this in a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at his office in the Great Hall of the People here today.

Talking about the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haq said the Chinese President described Sheikh Hasina as an "old friend of Chinese people" saying that Bangladesh is a close and friendly neighbor of China.

The Chinese president showed utmost gesture to the Bangladesh Prime Minister and proceeded up to the corridor to receive her at his office, he said.

Recalling the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China in 1952 and 1957, the Chinese President said the relationship between the two countries has been growing after that visit. The relations will continue and gradually go to the higher level," he hoped.

Jinping said the model of democracy is different in different countries of the world. "There is no standard model of democracy, if anyone thinks that there is a standard model of democracy then he is not right."

"Democracy should be defined judging the situation, need and context of a particular country," the President said.

Chinese president mentioned about the jute products of Bangladesh, saying his country would consider importing jute and jute goods from Bangladesh to reduce the trade gap.

The Chinese president pledged to provide all out support to Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He said China is ready to share the technology of super hybrid rice with Bangladesh. Usually China does not share this technology with any other countries as the variety is a patent right of China.

Pointing the new initiative of China about the 'Silk route economic belt and 21st Century maritime silk route', he said that Bangladesh is important for implementing this initiative. Starting from China, the route will end in Africa via India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Sheikh Hasina thanked the President for the initiative.

The Chinese president highly appreciated the leadership of Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on her assumption of the office of Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time. He also put emphasis on the implementation of the instruments that were signed on Monday in presence of the prime ministers of the two countries after official talks.

The Chinese president through Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid to visit China.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmud Ali, PM's Political Adviser HT Imam and State Minister for foreign affairs Shariyar Alam were present among others.