Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman devoted his whole life to his country and people, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a pre-recorded message marking the celebration of Mujib Year and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
The “Sonar Bangla” Bangabandhu envisioned is still galvanising the 160 million Bangladeshi people in their pursuit of national rejuvenation even today after 50-years of Bangladesh’s independence, said the Chinese president in his pre-recorded speech placing high importance on growing China’s relations with Bangladesh.
“A man who devoted his whole life to his country and people, Bangabandhu is fondly remembered by the people in Bangladesh to this day,” he added.
“May the China-Bangladesh friendship last from generation to generation!” he also said at the time.
“Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an old and good friend of the Chinese people. On his two visits to China in 1952 and 1957, he forged friendships with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, and other Chinese leaders of the elder generation,” he said.
As a Chinese saying goes, Xi said, “Do not forget those who dug the well when drinking water from it.”
President Xi said China and Bangladesh have always been friendly neighbours, with the ancient Silk Road standing as a witness to a friendship that spans over the millennia.
Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 46 years ago, the two sides have treated each other with mutual respect and as equals, he said.
“The two countries have supported each other and made progress together. Today, both countries are at a crucial stage of revitalisation and development. The Chinese dream of great national renewal can well connect with the ‘Sonar Bangla’ dream,” he said.
“During my visit to Bangladesh in 2016, Prime Minister Hasina and I upgraded the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation. Bangladesh is the first South Asian country to have signed with China an intergovernmental document on Belt and Road cooperation,” President Xi said.
