PM set for talks with Xi Jinping on Friday

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday in a high-level engagement expected to conclude his four-day visit to China and further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the meeting would take place at 10:30am local time at the Great Hall of the People, equivalent to 8:30am in Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday, the spokesperson said the prime minister would raise a range of issues related to Bangladesh’s interests during the talks.

“On the final day of the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the historic Great Hall of the People,” he said.

Mahdi Amin added that the meeting was expected to produce positive outcomes that would contribute to Bangladesh’s development and deepen bilateral cooperation.

The prime minister's schedule also includes a meeting with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, at the Great Hall of the People. He is also due to visit the National Museum of China before departing Beijing later in the day.

Tarique Rahman and members of his delegation are scheduled to leave for Dhaka at 5:00pm local time, bringing the visit to a close.

The trip marks his first visit to China as prime minister. He previously travelled to the country in 2001 as a member of the delegation accompanying then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia following her return to office.

Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. The discussions focused on Bangladesh-China relations, trade, investment, infrastructure development and other areas of mutual interest.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding covering a range of sectors, reflecting efforts to expand cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing.

A 24-member delegation is accompanying the prime minister. It includes his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials.

The China visit forms part of Tarique Rahman’s first official overseas tour since taking office. He began the trip in Malaysia on 21 June before travelling to Dalian, where he attended the World Economic Forum's conference and took part in a series of events over two days before arriving in Beijing on Wednesday.