Envoy meets navy officials

Chinese naval fleet Qi Jiguang and Jing Gangshan arrived at Chittagong Port on Saturday, starting a goodwill visit to Bangladesh.

Mr Yao Wen, ambassador of China to Bangladesh, welcomed the training fleet at the Port.

Diplomats from Chinese Embassy, representatives from enterprises and Confucius Institute and overseas Chinese people attended the welcoming ceremony.

The Chinese PLANTask  Group 83 berthed at Chittagong Port with Chinese people waved the national flags of China and Bangladesh with great enthusiasm, extended high tribute to Chinese Navy and wished long live China-Bangladesh friendship, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said.

During the fleet's four-day goodwill visit, series of events will take place, including bilateral meetings, ship open days, and deck reception, to enhance China and Bangladesh Navy cooperation and mutual trust, and contribute to the building of a maritime community of shared future.

This visit marks the first occasion in four years since Chinese naval fleet last visited Bangladesh, and it is the first foreign naval fleet to visit since the formation of Bangladesh's interim government.

The visit holds significant importance for deepening China-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mr Yao Wen, and commanders of the Chinese naval fleet Qi Jiguang and Jing Gangshan, called on Rear Admiral?Masud Iqbal, Commander of the Chattogram Naval Area, Rear Admiral?Md Moinul Hassan,?Commander of the Bangladesh Navy Fleet, and Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority.

The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation.

Both parties conveyed their strong confidence in the development of China-Bangladesh relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening defense and security cooperation, the spokesman added.

Ambassador Yao Wen said that China and Bangladesh are traditionally friendly neighbours and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners.

"No matter what changes have taken place in the domestic situation of Bangladesh, China's commitment to develop China-Bangladesh relations remains unchanged," he said.

"China is looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh to cement our traditional friendship, deepen friendly exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation in various areas, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, further advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights."

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