People visit a photo exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China at Westin Hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 1, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Shariful Islam)
Bangladesh and China share many similarities and will continue to work together to foster a closer friendship, said officials from both countries at the opening of a photo exhibition to mark Bangladesh's 40 years of bilateral relations with China.
The exhibition of many rare and unseen photographs was organized in capital Dhaka on Monday by the Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association (BCPFA) under the sponsorship of Chinese embassy in Dhaka.
According to the officials, 59 photos were exhibited at the exhibition.
Speaking as chief guest, HT Imam, Bangladeshi prime minister's political adviser, said Bangladesh-China relations stand on mutual respect for sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and non-interference.
"China has stood by us on many occasions."
"We're committed to further promote our comprehensive partnership of cooperation with China," he said and added such exhibition of recorded historic moments will surely help to further boost the bilateral ties.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang and BCPFA Secretary General Shahriar Zaman Sumon, among others, also spoke at the inauguration ceremony with acting President of BCPFA Mohammad Bashirullah in the chair.
"History has proven that Bangladesh and China are time tested friends," said Ambassador Ma.
"China-Bangladesh relations are growing in all spheres," he said.
Mohammad Basirullah, who visited China 74 times, also said the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China witnessed smooth development in the past decades.
"I believe that this (photo exhibition) would further strengthen Bangladesh-China partnership."
Visitors have stressed the need for arranging this kind of photo exhibition regularly in Bangladesh's educational institutions, so that Bangladeshi students can learn more about the historical moments caught on cameras since the 1950s.
Photos in the exhibition included many rare photos like the one showing Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, visiting China in the 1950s as a minister of the Pakistani government when Bangladesh was still part of Pakistan.
China and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on Oct. 4, 1975.
The two governments decided to establish a closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation from the strategic perspective and on the basis of the principles of long-standing friendship, equality and mutual benefit.
