Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao set forth a five-point proposal in Beijing on August 18 to enhance the relationship with Bangladesh during talks with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The proposal includes using the 30th anniversary of Sino-Bangladeshi relations to realize common ground reached by the two countries in all fields; exploring new areas for cooperation; strengthening exchanges on high-tech and agriculture; expanding cultural and personnel exchanges; maintaining close cooperation on the reform of the United Nations, south-south cooperation and other major international and regional issues.

Wen visited Bangladesh this April. He said China and Bangladesh declared to establish a comprehensive and cooperative partnership of long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefits this April. This further pushed forward the traditional friendship, he added.

He went on to say that China and Bangladesh are developing countries facing the same challenges of development and sharing a common interest in international affairs.

"Developing a comprehensive and cooperative partnership with Bangladesh is an important component part of China's good-neighborly policy," he said.

Wen also expressed gratitude for the support of Bangladesh to China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet, and human rights.

On the situation in South Asia, Wen said, currently the countries in the region are comparatively stable, and the economy has developed. As the largest member of the South Asian Association Regional Cooperation, China will continue to work for peace and stability in the region, he said.

Zia said it is significant to achieve an exchange of visits between the two prime ministers in the year marking the 30th anniversary of Bangladesh-China relations.

She expressed gratitude for China's long-term assistance to Bangladesh, saying that Bangladesh attaches importance to its relations with China, and would like to promote cooperation in the political, security and cultural fields, and strengthen consultations on regional and international issues.

Source: Xinhua