China to celebrate ‘Mujib Year’ with highest honour: envoy

Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming has said China will show highest respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his birth centenary this year, as it coincides with the celebration of 45th anniversary of Dhaka-Beijing diplomatic ties.

“The whole Bangladesh will celebrate the year as “Mujib Barsha”, and the Chinese Embassy will also implement initiatives to celebrate this significant event with our Bangladeshi friends to show Chinese people’s highest considerations and respect toward this great man,” he said.

Li was addressing the opening ceremony of “Happy Chinese New Year Gala 2020, the 45th Anniversary of China-Bangladesh Friendship and Mujib Year” at the National Theatre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the city yesterday.

The envoy said the Chinese side are ready to join hands with the Bangladesh government and peopl to enhance the synergy between development strategies and jointly promote Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Li Jiming said the China-Bangladesh relationship has withstood the test of time and changes of international situation, and maintains the momentum of robust growth.

“China-Bangladesh relationship is now at its best time ever in history,” he observed.

He recalled that the then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Dhaka twice in the 1950s and 1960s and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice as well.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, who spoke at the function as the chief guest, highlighted various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.