PM Sheikh Hasina unveils Chienese edition of 'Unfinished Memoirs'

Chai Xi presented the copy of the book to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban here on Thursday.

Chai Xi, who served in the Chinese embassy in Dhaka for 15 years in different capacities, translated the book in Chinese language at the request of the Prime Minister.

The prime minister extended her heartfelt thanks to the Chai Xi and his friends for translating Bangabandhu's "Asamapto Athmojiboni", an autobiography of Bangabandhu composed on his writings in prison during Pakistani colonial rule.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor and Director General of Bangla Academy Shamsuzzaman Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Taufiq-e Elahi Chowdhury, Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Power Secretary Monwar Islam and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, PM's special assistants Abdus Sobhan Golap and Mahbubul Haque Shakil were present, among others.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the writings of Bangabandhu in jail are important historical document not only for Bangladesh but also for subcontinent history. She recalled her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnessa Mujib's role in protecting the diaries of Bangabandhu from the wrath of colonial regime.

Recalling the visit of Bangabandhu in China in 1952 and 1957 and visit of the Chinese first premier Zhou Enlai in Dhaka in 1956, Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had noted down those visits in his diaries where he predicted China's emergence as an economic and political power.

"Bangbandhu's prediction came true and China is now a big economic and political power in the world," the prime minister said.

Writings of Bangabandhu on his Chinese visit would be published in a separate book, the prime minister told Chai Xi, requesting him for translating the book into Chinese language.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh values her relations with China. "We want peaceful regional coexistence among the countries of this region and making the region free from poverty," she said.

The former Chinese ambassador informed the Prime Minister that all the proceeds accrued from sale of the Chinese edition of the book will be donated to the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust. Mentioning his service for 15 years in Bangladesh, Chai Xi said he has already fallen in love with Bangladesh adding, "Bangladesh is my second home."

Chai Xi who served in Bangladesh from 2003-2007 as Chinese ambassador said he first visited Bangladesh in 1976 as a student. He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her last visit to China in 2014 had requested him to translate the Unfinished Memoirs of Bangabandhu in Chinese language. At that time, Xi said, "Of course, if you ask me to do it. It would be a great honour for me," Xi said adding that Bangabandhu was a great leader and a great friend of China.

About translating the book into Chinese language, Xi said that although it took a little bit time, he was very much happy to complete its work. "I think that I've accomplished a good task," he said.

He also informed the Prime Minister that they would hold a publication ceremony in China on the book, adding that through translating the Unfinished Memoirs of Bangabandhu into Chinese language, the people of China would be able to know the great leader and the architect of independence of Bangladesh.

The former Chinese ambassador said that after coming to Bangladesh after long eight years he was happy to see Bangladesh gain over six percent GDP growth on an average for the last couple of years, which was not so easy considering the world economic situation.

He also expressed his firm optimism that under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would be able to realize the dream of turning Bangladesh into a mid-income country by 2021 and a prosperous developed country by 2041.