Dhaka: Bangladesh is set to roll out the red carpet as Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive on Friday on a two-day state visit with Dhaka describing it as a ‘crucial’ tour to open a new horizon for bilateral economic relations.

‘The visit of a Chinese president after a long time is the reflection of world leaders’ confidence to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership,’ Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali told a media briefing on the eve of the visit.

He said President Abdul Hamid will welcome his Chinese counterpart with ‘state honour’ at the VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while a special aircraft carrying Jinping and his entourage members is set land at about 11:40 am.

‘A 21- gun salute would herald Chinese president’s arrival. Two Bangladesh air force jets would escort the aircraft carrying the Chinese leader once it entered the country’s skyline,’ Ali said.

A smartly turned out joint contingent of army, navy and air force would offer him a guard of honour while Chinese President will take the salute from the saluting Dias and inspect the guard accompanied by his Bangladesh counterpart.

National anthems of the two countries will be played during the ceremony.

After completing Airport formalities, the Chinese President will leave for Hotel Le Meridian, the place of residence, by a ceremonial motorcade.

Jinping will hold official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office at about 3:10 pm where the two leaders would witness the signing ceremony of several agreements and MoU after their talks.

In the evening Jingping would meet President Hamid at Bangabhaban at about 6:30pm and then join a banquet to be hosted in his honour by his counterpart.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will call on the Chinese President at Hotel Le Meridian at about 4:35pm.

On the second day of the visit the Chinese President will place wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on Saturday morning to pay homage to the valiant sons of the soil who embraced martyrdom during the country’s Great Liberation War in 1971.

Jinping will leave Dhaka for Goa, India at about 10:00 am on the same day to attend the 8th BRICS Summit while Sheikh Hasina will see him off at the airport.

A 13-member entourage along with 33 members working staffs and 34 members security and media staffs will accompany the Chinese President during his Dhaka visit that is taking place three decades after then Chinese President Li Xiannian visited Bangladesh in March 1986.