DHAKA: Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and speaker of Bangladesh National Assembly Shirin Sharmin Choudhury met on the sidelines of International Day of Peace meeting on September 21 in Kunming, capital city of southwestern China’s Yunnan Province.

Li said as developing countries, both China and Bangladesh face the historical task of realizing modernization. The two countries should boost cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to a new level.

Li made the remark at a forum to mark International Day of Peace in Kunming, capital city of southwestern China’s Yunnan Province.

The day, which falls on September 21, is established by the UN General Assembly as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin said Bangladesh hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in trade, investment and culture so as to better benefit the two peoples.

In meeting with Afghan National Assembly Speaker Ibrahimi, Li said China is willing to be a reliable neighbor and good friend to Afghanistan, actively participate in the country’s peace and reconstruction process.

“The two countries should advance cooperation in energy, infrastructure and agriculture and work together to combat terrorism to further the strategic partnership of China and Afghanistan,” Li told Ibrahimi.

Afghan people long for peace and development, hoping China to play an important role in facilitating peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, Ibrahimi said.

The forum, launched by the Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament, UN System in China and the Yunnan provincial government, was attended by officials and experts from South Asian countries and UN staff.

Source: ecns.cn
BDST: 0848 HRS, SEP 23, 2013
SR/AKA/BSK