BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Saturday that the ruling BNP aims to deepen its geopolitical, economic, and trade partnerships with China.

The minister emphasized that the bilateral bond between the two nations has reached new heights following the recent official trip of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Beijing.

Mirza Fakhrul made these statements during a symposium titled "Long Live Bangladesh-China Friendship," held at a metropolitan hotel.

The event was organized by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association to celebrate the premier's diplomatic tour.

The gathering was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen participating as the guest of honour.

The session was presided over by Advocate Nazmul Haque Nannu, who serves as the President of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association and an adviser to the BNP chairman.

During his address, Fakhrul pointed out that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit injected fresh momentum into the bilateral dynamic, noting that Bangladeshi youths are increasingly traveling to China on various programs to build stronger cross-border connections.

The minister highlighted the historical ties between his political platform and Beijing, stating, "The BNP has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Communist Party of China."

He further added, "Even during fascist Awami League regime, we maintained communication with the Communist Party of China."

Elaborating on the country's broader diplomatic framework, Fakhrul remarked, "The BNP wants to maintain relations with China based on geopolitical interests. We also want to maintain economic and political relations with India and the United States."

He observed that ties between Dhaka and Beijing are currently exceptionally strong, adding that Bangladesh is actively seeking Chinese technological cooperation alongside strategic support to expand vocational and technical training for the country's youth.

He also outlined key sectors where Bangladesh stands to benefit, pointing to Chinese expertise in infrastructure development, road construction, solar initiatives, and green energy innovations.

Expressing confidence in the future, the minister added, "We are optimistic. The BNP shares ideological similarities with China. We have business relations with China. We will import from China and export to China, and China will likewise import from and export to Bangladesh. Bangladesh looks to China's leadership as a force against hegemony."

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen also spoke at the event, revealing that Beijing is eager to deploy its high-speed railway systems in Bangladesh down the line.

He explained that a modern high-speed rail network could effectively link the key regions of Chattogram, Dhaka, and Sylhet.

Additionally, the diplomat reaffirmed China's commitment to fully assisting Bangladesh with the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

Yao Wen concluded by stating that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s latest state visit successfully opened a brand-new chapter in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.