China pledges peaceful development

DHAKA -- China voiced pledge here Saturday to adhere to the path of peaceful development and called on the countries in South Asia, including Bangladesh, to boost cooperation to a new higher level.

"As the largest neighboring country of south Asia and following closely the development in this region, China stands ready to actively develop good-neighborly and cooperative relations with all South Asian countries," visiting senior Chinese leader Li Changchun said.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks when he addressed a reception hosted by the Bangladeshi representatives from all walks of life who share close connections to China.

"It is our sincere wish to see political stability, economic prosperity, peaceful coexistence and common development of all south Asian countries," Li added.

As for the China-Bangladesh relations, Li said the two nations have enjoyed continuous development of ties with fruitful results in political, economic, cultural and scientific cooperation. "On issues concerning China's core interest, the Bangladeshi government and people have always stood firmly by us and the Chinese government and people also provide sincere assistance for Bangladesh," Li said, noting the bilateral relations have become a paragon of countries of difference social systems treating each other as equals, coexisting peacefully and seeking mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Chinese leader then offered a four-point proposal on the future development of the bilateral ties, calling on the two sides firstly to enhance political mutual trust and deepen traditional friendship, then expand practical cooperation to score win-win outcomes, boost cultural and people-to-people exchange and consolidate the foundation for friendship and lastly strengthen communication and coordination when dealing with multilateral cooperation.

Li stressed that China is still at the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time to come although the country has been prospering in all aspects and enormous achievements have been made.

"China and Bangladesh are important forces for peace in Asia and the world," Li said, noting that the two nations need to understand, support and help each other and create a peaceful environment around in a bid to achieve common development and prosperity.

At the invitation of the Bangladesh Awami League party, Li arrived at the Bangladesh's capital on Saturday afternoon. Bangladesh is the final leg of Li's three-nation visit to South Asia which already took him to Pakistan and the Maldives.