Dhaka: China attaches great importance to further developing bilateral relations and cooperation with Bangladesh, said newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo on Monday.

The Ambassador made the statement when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.  PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.  He said the Chinese envoy told the Prime Minister that his country will push forward this relationship and do whatever is needed for that from their part.  Zhang Zuo appreciated the overall progress of Bangladesh achieved under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ‘Bangladesh is marching towards becoming Sonar Bangla,’ he added.  The new envoy paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled the visit of the great leader to China.  He extended Eid greetings to the Prime Minister on the occasion of upcoming Eid-Ul-Azha, the second largest religious festivals for Muslims.  The Chinese Ambassador also gifted a book titled ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ to Sheikh Hasina.  Hasina said many big projects of the country are being implemented with Chinese collaboration.  She said the government has allocated lands for Chinese investment in the special economic zones so that they can set up industries and factories there, and hoped that more investment from China will come to Bangladesh.  Recalling Bangabandhu’s visit to China in 1952 and 1957, the Prime Minister said a book written on the diary of Bangabandhu on his China visit awaits publication.  She informed Zhang Zuo that Chinese President Xi Jinping had gifted her some photos of Bangabandhu during her last visit to China.  The Prime Minister conveyed her greetings to the China’s President and the Prime Minister through Ambassador Zhang Zuo.  Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Nojibur Rahman was present at the meeting.