PM to visit China in late June: Deputy Speaker

PM to visit China in late June: Deputy Speaker

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to make his second overseas visit to China in late June, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal has said.

The deputy speaker disclosed the information while speaking at the seventh China-South Asia Cooperation Forum in Kunming, capital of China's Yunnan Province, on Thursday, June 11.

He said the newly elected prime minister has chosen China as the second country to visit after forming the new government, which will open new horizons in bilateral ties between the two countries.

Earlier, foreign ministry officials said the prime minister's first overseas visit will be to Malaysia, with a trip to Kuala Lumpur scheduled for June 21-22. The China visit is expected shortly after.

Kayser Kamal recalled the historic state visits of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977 and 1980, describing him as the pioneer of Bangladesh's independent foreign policy who laid the foundation for formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. Former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia's landmark visits in 1991 and 2002 subsequently strengthened the ties, he further said.