China and Bangladesh agreed in Dhaka Thursday to strengthen traditional friendship and further exchanges and cooperation to push forward development of the all-round partnership.  

"China and Bangladesh have no big differences, only friendship," said Premier Wen Jiabao when holding talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He added that friendly Sino-Bangladeshi relations are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and are conducive to regional peace and development.

To further promote the relationship, Wen proposed the two nations establish a long-term and friendly partnership of equality and mutual benefit to strengthen the political foundation of bilateral ties.

He also proposed to expand their economic and trade cooperation, pledging to take measures to solve the trade imbalance and to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.

The Chinese premier suggested the two countries enhance cooperation in the international and regional issues.

China decided to award Bangladesh the status of tourist destination country, and set the year of 2005, the 30th anniversary of Sino-Bangladeshi diplomatic ties, as the "year of friendship," he said.

Zia agreed with Wen on his views on bilateral ties, saying Bangladesh-China relations now are "entering a new stage," and her government will make efforts to deepen cooperation with China to benefit the two peoples.

She said Chinese and Bangladeshi peoples have supported each other over the past 30 years since the diplomatic ties were forged. "China is Bangladesh's best friend, and our government and people have strong aspiration to deepen bilateral relations," she added.

She reaffirmed Bangladesh's adherence to the one-China policy and supports to the Anti-Secession Law, and wished China to realize reunification at an early date.

After the talks, the two sides signed nine cooperative documents on peaceful use of nuclear energy, economy, agriculture and water resources, with Wen and Zia present at the signing ceremony.

Wen also met with three ministers from the Bangladesh cabinet, including Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, late Thursday. Wen said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Communist Party of China are ruling parties, and they both face the common tasks of developing economy. He encouraged the two sides to learn from each other.

Bhuiyan said China is Bangladesh's friend and brother, and cooperation between the two countries is promising.

Wen is paying an official visit to Bangladesh, the second leg of his four-nation South Asia tour that has taken him to Pakistan. He will also visit Sri Lanka and India following his trip here.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)