Dhaka-Beijing growing ties unstoppable, says Chinese vice minister

China wants to maintain good relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian countries for the sake of greater welfare of the people in the region, Chinese Vice Minister Zhou Xiang said yesterday.

"Though we've mountains in both countries, these couldn't put barrier to our growing relations," he told news agency UNB.

Mentioning Chinese President Xi Jinping's One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, Xiang said China maintains good relations with South Asian countries following the OBOR that says moving ahead together.

"Our government always attaches highest importance to South Asian countries."

Bangladesh and China are densely populated countries and both of them are working for people's welfare, he said.

"Bangladesh can take lessons from China's development experiences. But we don't impose anything on any country."

He also discussed how China became the second largest economy in the world from a poor country.

Xiang gave credit to the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the rapid development his country witnessed over the past decades.

The vice minister shed light on the country's reforms and open policy that are taking it forward. He said China will remain open to extend support to its friends like Bangladesh.

Terming Dhaka-Beijing relations very strong, he said the friendship is like the two countries are drinking water from the same river.

The vice minister, however, did not want to make any comments on Rohingya issue saying it is a diplomatic issue.

He observed that the cultural ties and people-to-people contacts between the two countries have witnessed tremendous growth in recent times.

"I hope our friendship and love for each other will grow further in the days to come," Xiang said.

He termed the just concluded 19th CPC National Congress a 'milestone' which will help China move ahead with development goals.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's report at the landmark meeting of CPC has further boosted the confidence of foreign countries and organisations in China's development prospect and global role, political insiders say.

In the report unveiled at the opening session of the national congress, Xi unveiled China's future development and reiterated his country's aspiration to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Earlier in the evening, the Chinese vice minister hosted a dinner in honour of visiting Bangladesh media delegation at Dolton International Hotel.

Hosne Ara Talukder, director for news at Bangladesh Betar, is leading the 12-member Bangladesh delegation.