Midsummer is drawing near to Dhaka in April. The flying five-star red flags and the national flags of Bangladesh in the streets demonstrates the friendly feelings born by the Bangladeshi people to the Chinese people. On the afternoon of April 7 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, who just arrived in Dhaka, held talks with Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister of the Bangladeshi government. Both sides reached unanimity on a series of major issues concerning bilateral relations. The Primer and the Prime Minister decided to set this year as China-Bangladesh Friendly Year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations with the goal to consolidate traditional friendship, strengthen cooperation between all sectors, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the China-Bangladesh comprehensive partnership forward.

Zia said during the talks that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh 30 years ago, the two peoples understand and support each other all the time and the friendly cooperation is further deepened. Premier Wen's visit at this time is of particular significance, which will certainly play an active role in promoting bilateral relations. Zia said that China is the best partner of Bangladesh. It is the strong aspiration of the Bangladeshi government and people to further consolidate and develop China-Bangladesh relations. She reaffirmed that the Bangladeshi government will unswervingly adhere to one-China policy and supports the National People's Congress of China (NPC) in passing the Anti-Secession Law and wished that China could realize the national re-unification on the early as possible.

Premier noted that great changes had taken place since his last visit to Bangladesh 11 years ago, with the society making great progress and the economy achieving remarkable growth. China and Bangladesh are both developing nations and both sides can learn from each other the good experience in national construction. Over the past 30 years, bilateral relations maintain a good momentum of growth on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect, treating each other equally, and sincere cooperation. There are no significant differences but friendship between China and Bangladesh. In retrospect of the development course of bilateral relations, it can be concluded that strict adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence is the fundamental guarantee to the continuous growth of China-Bangladesh relations; actively carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation in every field is important means for increasing the friendliness of bilateral relations; strengthening exchanges between the peoples is the major base for the growth of bilateral relations.

Premier Wen pointed out that China pursues the independent foreign policy of peace, adheres to the principle of "being a good neighbour and panther" and gives priority to developing relations with neighbouring nations in its foreign polices. Developing China-Bangladesh friendly relations is in the fundamental interest of both nations and peoples and benefits regional peace and stability. He said that to further the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, China proposes the followings: first, to establish the comprehensive partnership of long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefits is conducive to further consolidating political base of China-Bangladesh relations; second, this year is set as China-Bangladesh Friendly Year and a wide range of celebrating events will be held to commemorate the 30 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties; third, to deepen the win-win economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefits; fourth, to expand personnel exchanges. China decides to list Bangladesh as one of the tourism destinations for Chinese citizens and to expand the cooperation in the fields of education, culture, tourism, and etc.; fifth, to strengthen the coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs.

Zia expressed her agreement with Premier Wen's proposal and believed that bilateral ties are entering a new phase of growth. The Bangladeshi side will further Bangladesh-China cooperation to benefit the people of both nations.

Following the talks, the relevant government ministries and enterprises signed 9 cooperation documents concerning peaceful utilization of nuclear energy, economy, technology, agriculture, flood prevention and control, water resources and other fields. Wen and Zia were both present at the signing ceremony.

On the same afternoon, Wen Jiabao also met with Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and other 2 senior ministers of the cabinet. During the meeting, Wen said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Communist Party of China (CPC) maintain sound inter-party relations. Both parties are ruling parties and are faced with common tasks for developing the economy and improving the living standards of the people. Both parties can further the exchanges and cooperation, and learn from each other the experience of running the party and governing the country so as to promote the further development of the causes of the party and the relations of both countries and better serve the fundamental interest of the vast majority of the people. According to Bhuiyan, China is not only a friend, but also a brother of Bangladesh. China and Bangladesh enjoy bright future for cooperation in every field.