China wants to elevate the bilateral relation with Bangladesh to the level of a long term strategic partnership, visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said today.

Speaking before the press after a meeting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office, Xi emphasised that the two countries are "good friends and partners".

- Warm, productive meeting with PM Hasina

- Cooperation in energy, ICT, agriculture, etc.

- Institutionalised cooperation in maritime affairs, counter-terrorism

- 2017 year of exchange and friendship

"We agreed to elevate China-Bangladesh ties from a comprehensive partnership of cooperation to a strategic partnership of cooperation," Xi said post to the signing of several instruments between the two countries.

"We have agreed to increase high level exchanges and strategic communication so that our bilateral relation will continue to move ahead at a higher level," he said.

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping adressing a joint press briefing at Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 14, 2016. Photo: BSS

During his meeting with Hasina, China and Bangladesh have agreed to cooperate on key areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and power, ICT and transportation, Xi said.

The Chinese president also mentioned that the two countries agreed to establish institutionalised cooperation in maritime affairs and efforts towards counter-terrorism.

The two countries have also agreed to declare 2017 as the year of exchange and friendship – that will be highlighted by a number of cultural exchanges and programmes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves upon arrival to Bangladesh at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on October 14, 2016. Photo: BSS