Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning, marking a significant step in strengthening the bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and China.

Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) spokesman Mahdi Amin stated that the Prime Minister would raise various issues related to Bangladesh's national interests, noting that the visit aims to "deepen Bangladesh-China relations across multiple dimensions."

According to Amin, bilateral engagement between the two nations is expected to reach new heights, spanning areas from strategic cooperation and trade to investment, employment, development projects, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prior to his engagement with President Xi, the Prime Minister met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, at the same venue.

The Prime Minister’s morning schedule began at approximately 9:30 am at the Great Hall, following a visit to Tiananmen Square.

Upon his arrival at the square at 9:10 am, he was greeted by a state salute from a smartly turned-out contingent of the Chinese Armed Forces.

During the ceremony at the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Prime Minister paid homage to Chinese revolutionary heroes by placing a red-green wreath.

As the national anthems of both countries were played and the bugle sounded the last post, the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence to honor the memory of the fallen.

He was accompanied during this ceremony by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and other members of his entourage.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is currently on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang.

This visit follows the signing of 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Thursday, which established a framework for bilateral cooperation across various sectors following formal talks between the two leaders at the Great Hall of the People.

The signing ceremony was followed by a banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in honor of the Prime Minister and his delegation.

Since arriving in Beijing on Wednesday, the Prime Minister has been accorded the highest state honors, including a ceremonial red-carpet reception.

Following the model of his previous visit to Malaysia and his attendance at the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos meeting, this official trip is being conducted with a streamlined delegation of 25 members, including 11 ministers, state ministers and advisers.

This China visit represents the second leg of the Prime Minister’s maiden official overseas tour, and he is scheduled to depart Beijing for Dhaka at 5 pm on this day.