Today marks the 58th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to extend my warmest blessings to my motherland's greater advancement and prosperity, and my best wishes to the Government and people of Bangladesh. I also take this opportunity to congratulate my fellow compatriots in Bangladesh on this happy event.

The National Day affords us the opportunity to recall with great happiness what has been achieved since the People's Republic was proclaimed in 1949, and particularly since the implementation of reform and opening-up policy in 1978. We can be justifiably proud of the remarkable achievements we have obtained in every field. China's economy has grown steadily, its national strength has been enhanced considerably, and Chinese people's livelihood has improved significantly.

From 1978 to 2006, China has experienced a successive high-speed development for nearly 30 years with GDP increasing 9.7% annually. China's GDP increased to US$ 2.63 trillion in 2006, currently ranking the No.4 in the world; per capita GDP grew from US$ 168 to over US$ 2042,; total import and export volume increased from US$ 20.6 billion to US$ 1.76 trillion; foreign reserves rose from US$ 167 million to US$ 1.33 trillion; number of people living under the poverty line in the countryside dropped from 250 million to 21.5 million. On the whole, the Chinese people have reached a well-off standard of living.

With the start of China's 11th five-year plan (2006-2010) for economic and social development, China's economic and social outlook in the years ahead holds out bright prospects. Following the requirements of a scientific outlook on development, we will put people first and take development as the primary task in running the country and government. We will promote coordinated development in urban and rural areas and among different regions, facilitate balanced economic and social development and opening-up so as to achieve all-round, coordinated and sustainable development.

The celebration of the National Day also comes amidst continuously growing Sino-Bangladesh relations. Since our diplomatic relation was established in 1975, our bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of all-round development, highlighted by enhanced political mutual trust, fruitful trade and economic cooperation, flourishing cultural exchange and close cooperation on international affairs.

The bilateral trade volume in 2006 amounted to about US$ 3.2 billion. I firmly believe that this rising trend will continue in 2007. After Chinese government granted zero-tariff access to 84 varieties and preference tariff treatment to 156 varieties of Bangladesh commodities, Chinese businessmen are now keen to import commodities like frozen sea fish, jute and leather from Bangladesh. The just concluded visiting Chinese delegation of Commerce Ministry in July this year signed contracts to purchase products amounted to US$ 53 million from Bangladesh. The rising Chinese economy also provides neighbors and developing partners more opportunities. We are always encouraging well-established Chinese companies and individuals to invest in Bangladesh, especially in the sectors of power, fertilizer, infrastructure, etc. The two countries also enjoy large potentials of cooperation and experience sharing in many other fields. The first meeting of Sino-Bangladesh Agricultural Joint Committee held in Dhaka 2007 marks new development of cooperation between the two agriculture-pillared countries.

The cultural interactions are also growing remarkably between our two countries and peoples. Some new areas of cooperation between China and Bangladesh have been explored in recent years with more exchange programs carried out in the fields of culture, education, media, and sports. The Chinese government has given scholarship to 50 Bangladeshi students each year, encouraging them to study hard for the benefits of Bangladesh's future development. The media of Bangladesh also keep close relation with Chinese counterparts at all levels.

As all know, the Olympic Games 2008 and the World Expo 2010 will be held respectively in Beijing and Shanghai, China. It is the honor not only for China, but also for the whole Asia. Bangladesh has confirmed its participation in the Olympics and the World Expo. On behalf of the Chinese government, I warmly invite Bangladesh friends to visit China at due time and enjoy the two world sports and culture banquets.

With the common wish to pursue peace, development and harmony in the world, China and Bangladesh have always maintained good cooperation in international and regional affairs through many platforms such as UN, ARF, ACD, SAARC, etc. In April 2007, China for the first time attended the SAARC Summit as one of the observers. We believe that the establishment of relationship between China and SAARC would inject dynamics into the regional cooperation in South Asia.

Considering Bangladesh as one of the best friends and neighbors, we hope to propel our bilateral cooperation to an even higher level and broader scope. We are convinced that, with the joint efforts of our two governments and two peoples, this upswing in our relations will continue to acquire further strength in the days to come.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my best wishes to people of both China and Bangladesh for lasting peace, progress and prosperity.

Thank you.

Zheng Qingdian

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China

To the People's Republic of Bangladesh