China-Bangladesh relations have developed in an all-round way after the two nations forged diplomatic ties, and bilateral cooperation is fruitful in many fields, Jiang Zemin, general-secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee said Thursday.
Jiang made the remarks during his meeting with Begum Khaleda Zia, chairwoman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
After giving a warm welcome to Ms. Zia, Jiang recalled the friendly exchanges between the two neighboring countries in history. According to Jiang, the two countries had religious exchanges centuries ago and certain prestigious religious figures are still remembered by people today.
Jiang also expressed appreciation and gratitude for the stand adopted by the Bangladeshi government and the Nationalist Party on Tibet, Taiwan and human rights issues.
Jiang recalled the visits paid by Zia to China, in particular in 1991 and 1995, when she came to China as the Bangladeshi prime minister.
On inter-party relations, Jiang said the CCP enjoyed good relations with all major Bangladeshi political parties, describing such a relationship as "an important component" of state-to-state ties.
"Inter-party exchanges and cooperation by various means and at different levels make an important contribution to the consolidation and growth of bilateral traditional friendship," Jiang said.
In the new century, Jiang said, the CCP will continue its friendly exchanges with all Bangladeshi political parties, including the Nationalist Party, and push forward bilateral ties.
Ms. Zia told Jiang she was encouraged after seeing China's rapid development and hoped to further the existing friendly relations with China in all fields. She hopes that the traditional bilateral friendship could be expanded in the new century.
Zia and her party are in Beijing as guests of the CCP.
(Xinhua 03/08/2001)
