PM Tarique, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sit for bilateral talks in Beijing

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang sat for bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this afternoon (25 June).

The meeting began at 5pm local time (3pm Bangladesh time), Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.

"The bilateral meeting between the two countries has begun around 5pm," he said.

Rumon said Tarique Rahman is leading the Bangladesh delegation while the Chinese delegation is being led by Premier Li Qiang.

The Bangladesh delegation includes Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials.

Earlier, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the two leaders would discuss Bangladesh-China relations, trade, investment, infrastructure development and other issues of mutual interest.

Following the talks, he said, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of the two prime ministers.

The agreements are expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, Mahdi Amin added.

Premier Li Qiang will later host a state banquet in honour of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and members of the Bangladesh delegation at the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman was accorded a warm red-carpet reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before holding a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

To mark Tarique Rahman's visit, the Great Hall of the People and the surrounding areas on the western edge of Tiananmen Square were decorated with the national flags of Bangladesh and China.