Xi, Li Qiang exchange congratulatory messages with Shahabuddin, Yunus

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh.

On the same occasion, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus also exchanged messages of felicitation.

In his message, President Xi described China and Bangladesh as “traditional friendly neighbours with a long history of exchanges,” noting that the two countries have maintained enduring friendship over the past five decades, regardless of shifts in the international and regional landscape.

Xi said the relationship between Beijing and Dhaka has been built on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting “an example of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation” between nations.

He highlighted that in recent years, both countries have continued to strengthen political mutual trust, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen practical collaboration across various sectors.

Xi added that he attaches great importance to China–Bangladesh relations and expressed readiness to work with President Shahabuddin to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to “carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote common development,” contributing to world peace and progress.

In his reply, President Shahabuddin said that over the past 50 years, Bangladesh and China have forged a “deep friendship based on mutual respect, trust, and enduring cooperation,” bringing tangible benefits to their peoples.

He praised China’s role in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity, and expressed appreciation for Beijing’s long-term support for Bangladesh’s sustainable development. Shahabuddin voiced confidence that, through joint efforts, bilateral cooperation would achieve “even greater results” in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, Premier Li Qiang said that China “highly values” the development of China–Bangladesh relations and stands ready to work with Dhaka to seize the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and expand collaboration in multiple fields.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, in his message, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, friendship between the two peoples has “grown stronger” and bilateral cooperation has “yielded fruitful results.”

He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to achieving new milestones in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations.