Dhaka: Bangladesh and China have dedicated 2017 as the ‘Year of Friendship and Exchanges’ between the two countries as they are now heading towards a ‘promising future’.  

During his stay in Dhaka, Chinese President Xi Jinping said many colorful events will be held in the year to carry forward to friendship between Bangladesh and China.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, said the joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Both sides agreed to expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism and other fields, and to promote interactions between the media, think tanks, youths, women organizations, non-governmental groups and local authorities of the two countries.  

Bangladesh and China agreed to implement the annual action plan under the framework of the Executive Program of the Cultural Agreement between the two countries.

China will train 500 Chinese-language teachers for Bangladesh, train 100 Bangladeshi cultural professionals, and invite 600 Bangladeshi students to visit China during 2016 to 2020.   

The two sides agreed, on the basis of the principle of equality and mutual benefit, to continue to facilitate the visits between the peoples of the two countries.