Daily Times

DHAKA: The ongoing photo exhibition marking Bangladesh’s 40 years of bilateral relations with China has attracted record number of high profile visitors including academics, governments officials, diplomats and politicians.

US Ambassador in Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, among other dignitaries, was also seen to visit the photo exhibition. The exhibition of many rare and unseen photographs opened in capital Dhaka on Monday by the Bangladesh-China People’s Friendship Association (BCPFA) under the sponsorship of Chinese embassy in Dhaka. 59 photos of historical events and memorable moments were exhibited at the exhibition. Photos in the exhibition included many rare photos like the one showing Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first visit to China in 1996. Her subsequent visits were also showed in the exhibition.

China and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on Oct. 4, 1975. “I think this is very important from various points of view. This is a celebratory event. We’re celebrating the 40 years of Bangladesh-China relations,” said Chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (ISIS) Munshi Faiz Ahmad. “This only shows that the bond of friendship between people of Bangladesh and China have been very long standing. And these pictures will definitely have great impact on the further strengthening of ties, friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” said Ahmed, who also served ambassador of Bangladesh to China.

Acting President of BCPFA Mohammad Bashirullah said this photo exhibition paved the way for many to know long-term historic relationship between Bangladesh and China. “Through this our relationship of friendship will surely be strengthened.” Echoing almost a similar view, BCPFA Secretary General Shahriar Zaman Sumon said: “I firmly believe that by doing this kind of activities, we will be able to enhance our friendly bonding between two countries.”

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang also expressed same optimism. “We have some photos of historical moments and memorable events between Bangladesh and China. We hope through this exhibition, mutual understanding will be further enhanced, and we can get more strong support from public to make sure our relations will get closer and closer, developing from strength to strength,” he said. The photo exhibition has enthralled many local and foreign visitors.

Md Tanveer Raza, associate professor of Jiujiang University in China who stayed in China for eight years, said he is very happy to see this Bangladesh-China photo exhibition because it reminded of his very interesting life in China. “We see development of Bangladesh China friendship on our own eyes. We found that Chinese people are very happy to meet people from Bangladesh.” “I want to mention that last year. I won photo exhibition contest in China where I showed life style of foreigners in China. Photo speak many words and they help us to better understand life of a country and develop good friendship,” he said.

HT Imam, political adviser of Bangladeshi prime minister, inaugurated the exhibition and 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 promoting our comprehensive partnership of cooperation with China,” he said, adding that such exhibition of recorded historic moments will surely help to further boost the bilateral ties.