Dhaka: China wants to see Bangladesh’s strong presence at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held in Beijing on May 14-15.

In an effort to further intensify Dhaka-Beijing ties, a number of ministers from Bangladesh have already been invited to attend the Forum to promote the China-initiated Belt and Road initiative.

“Yes, so far I know a number of ministers have been invited to attend,” a diplomat in Beijing told news agency UNB mentioning that the Chinese side is waiting for a positive feedback from Bangladesh side in this regard.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak are among the invitees, a diplomatic source indicates.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos recently that China will host the BRF in Beijing in May.

The BRF is aimed at discussing ways to enhance collaboration, build cooperation platforms and share cooperation outcomes, another official told UNB.

On October 14, 2016 Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Dhaka with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and agreed to establish China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation, so as to continuously move forward bilateral relationship at higher levels.

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents covering such areas as the joint building of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, production capacity cooperation, information and telecommunication, energy and power, diplomacy, maritime affairs, disaster prevention and alleviation and climate change, and attended the unveiling ceremony of major cooperation projects between the two countries.

The upcoming Forum in May, the official added, will also try to find out problems facing global and regional economy, find ways to address those and create mechanisms for pursuing interconnected development and make the Belt and Road Initiative deliver greater benefits to the people of all countries.

The Chinese side hoped that the Forum will be a useful platform for strengthening coordination, mutual complementarities and international cooperation.

Earlier on Monday, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang met Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and discussed the progress of decisions taken during Chinese President’s Dhaka visit.

Meanwhile both sides are observing the year 2017 as the ‘Year of Friendship and Exchanges’ between China and Bangladesh.

Throughout the year, two countries will see colorful exchange events, boost cooperation in culture, education, tourism and other areas, intensify communication and interaction between media outlets, youth, women and local governments, and facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.