On the morning of December 25, 2002, President Jiang Zemin met with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Zhongnanhai.

Jiang extended welcome to Zia for her visit to China once again. He said that bilateral friendship initiated by leaders of the two countries will be furthered in the new century. He noted that the two countries are close and friendly neighbors and their friendship boasts a profound historical foundation. He said that bilateral relations have advanced smoothly on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence although the two countries forged diplomatic ties not too long. He voiced his satisfaction with bilateral relations, saying that the two countries have friendship only and no prominent problems.

Jiang said that on the basis of sound bilateral political relations, the two countries have made efforts to develop their economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit in recent years with very good results. He said that China attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with all its neighboring countries including Bangladesh, which is a set policy of China.

On the international situation, Jiang pointed out that currently the world situation is undergoing profound changes, and the world is not peaceful with increasing uncertain factors influencing peace and development. He said that China and Bangladesh stand side by side in the international combat against terrorism, stressing that China pays much attention to south Asia as the stability there bears on the stability in the entire Asia. He also added that China sincerely hopes that countries in south Asia will treat each other as equals and co-exist in harmony.

Jiang said that both as developing countries, China and Bangladesh are challenged with the common tasks of developing economy and improving their people's lives. He also talked about the effective measures taken by Zia in maintaining social stability and promoting economic development, expressing the belief that Bangladesh will realize social stability and economic prosperity.

Zia thanked Jiang for his meeting and warmly congratulated on the successful convention of the 16 Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress. She said bilateral friendship, initiated by Bangladeshi late President Ziaur Rahman and Chinese leaders of the old generation, has made substantial progress in recent years, and the Bangladeshi government places much importance on bilateral relations and will continue to abide by the One China policy. Noting the agreements signed by the two sides during this visit, she said they will further push forward the overall development of bilateral relations in the new century.

Briefing Jiang on Bangladesh's domestic and foreign policies, Zia said Bangladesh takes an active part in regional and international affairs, stands firmly opposed to international terrorism and will work with its neighboring countries to realize relaxation and stability in South Asia.