World Desk:

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today said the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Beijing will be a “game-changer” that will open a new chapter of Bangladesh-China ties.”It (PM’s visit) will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter,” he told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar at the Chinese embassy this evening. “Let’s wait and see,” said the ambassador while he was asked to disclose the date of the Bangladesh premier’s next visit to Beijing.Currently, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is visiting Beijing to have bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart regarding the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit.Chinese embassy in collaboration with Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) organized the seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice”.Chinese ambassador said Beijing stands ready to work together with Bangladesh to announce the conclusion of the feasibility study of the Bangladesh-China free trade agreement (FTA) in the near future.”I am convinced that the early signing of the China-Bangladesh FTA will undoubtedly open a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, ushering in a new golden era of economic and trade cooperation between China and Bangladesh,” he said.Yao said China is ready to strive to officially initiate negotiations within this year, so as to conclude the negotiations before 2026, commencing the building of a bilateral free trade zone.State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu spoke at the seminar as the chief guest, highlighting various aspects of the bilateral relations.Chairman of RAPID Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, BCCCI Secretary General Al Mamun Mridha and CEAB President Ke Changliang also spoke, among others.