President Xi Jinping said China supports Bangladesh's new government in its smooth administration and stands ready to carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the country.

In his meeting with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing on Friday, the president said China is willing to map out key cooperation with Bangladesh and tap into the potential for collaboration in green and low-carbon development, digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence and other fields.

Rahman, for his part, told Xi that in order to reduce Bangladesh's trade deficit, China could help diversify Bangladesh's exports to the country.

Rahman is on his first visit to China since he became prime minister in February.

Bangladesh joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2016.

The visit also carries broader diplomatic significance as the Bangladeshi leader seeks to balance ties with both Beijing and New Delhi.

His predecessor, Sheikh Hasina, was widely seen as closer to India, and while relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have improved since Rahman took office, disagreements, including over border tensions, remain. (Xinhua/Reuters)


Edited by Edmond Fong