On the afternoon of April 8, 2005, Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed met with Premier Wen Jiaobao of the State Council, who is on an official visit to Bangladesh, at the presidential residence. Both sides held kind and friendly talks on a wide range of topics.

Ahmed congratulated Premier Wen on the success of his visits. He indicated that a strong and prosperous China would not only be conducive to the peace, stability and development of the region but also inject vitality to the friendly cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

Premier Wen said that his visit to Bangladesh was brief but fruitful. China defines its relationship with Bangladesh as long-term, friendly, and comprehensive partnership based upon equality and mutual benefits and has carried out a series of cooperation projects of friendship and mutual benefits. There are no problems between China and Bangladesh and both sides hold common views on international and regional affairs, which are the solid base for both countries to develop relations. Both China and Bangladesh are developing nations and are faced with common tasks of economic development and national construction. Therefore both sides should help and support each other. China is a trustworthy and reliable friend of Bangladesh and it is believed that China-Bangladesh relations will surely make new headways with the concerted efforts of both sides.

Talking about Master Atisa's experience to China in ancient time and the ever-lasting history of exchanges between the two peoples, Ahmed believed that Bangladesh should send more students to China, expand exchanges between universities, and strengthen the bond of friendship between the peoples. Wen said that the holy monk Atisa came to China in the 11th century and lived in China for 17 years, making great contributions to the friendship between the two peoples. Education is an important part of China-Bangladesh cooperation. Both sides may send more students to each other and China is going to set up a Confucius institute to teach Chinese in Bangladesh in the hope to expand mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

When talking about agricultural cooperation, Ahmed said that 80% of the Bengali population are farmers. The growth of agriculture has a direct bearing on the stability of the whole country. Droughts and floods are serious problems that Bangladesh has to face. Its earth contains too much poisonous elements such as arsenic and fluorine, which affect the health of its people. He hoped to learn the good experience of China. Wen said that China is also a big agricultural nation. China and Bangladesh have carried out cooperation in agriculture and China could strengthen the cooperation according to the needs of Bangladesh. China has accumulated some experience in treating such elements as arsenic and fluorine and is willing to send experts to Bangladesh for exchanges and cooperation.

On the same day, Wen Jiabao also met with Sheikh Hasina, president of the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and former Prime Minster of the Bangladeshi government. Primer Wen pointed out that the Chinese side is willing to continue to consolidate the exchange and cooperation with all Bangladeshi parties on the basis of Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence and to push China-Bangladesh relationship forward. The Bangladesh Awami League maintains long-term friendly relations with China. Whether when it was in power or today, it attaches great importance to developing its relations with the Communist Party of China (CPC). He hoped that the AL could continue to play constructive roles in promoting the friendly cooperative relations between China and Bangladesh in the new era. Wen Jiabao spoke highly of the outstanding contribution made by

Hasina said that he remarks of Premier Wen were touching and the AL felt happy to see the productive results Premier Wen made in his visits. The AL will continue to uphold one-China policy, and support Bangladeshi to further consolidate the exchange and cooperation with CPC, expand and deepen the friendly cooperation with Bangladesh in every field.