Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the capital Dhaka this morning on a two-day long historic state visit.
A special aircraft of Air China carrying the Chinese president and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:36am (local time).
President Abdul Hamid received his Chinese counterpart on his arrival at the VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport 12.03 pm amid a booming 21-gun salute.
He was earlier escorted by an Air Force jet in Bangladesh sky.
A red carpet was also rolled out to receive Xi Jinping.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Planning Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, the chiefs of the three services and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were present at the presentation line.
Xi Jinping moved to the saluting dais accompanied by his Bangladesh counterpart, and received guard of honor and inspected the guard.
President Abdul Hamid introduced the cabinet members and other dignitaries to Xi Jinping at the presentation line. The Chinese President also introduced his entourage to Abdul Hamid.
A 13-member high-profile delegation, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Finance Minister Lou Jiwei, Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan, is accompanying the Chinese President.
From the airport, President Xi is now being escorted to his place of residence – Hotel Le Meridien – in a ceremonial motorcade.
Bangladesh hopes the visit, taking place three decades after then Chinese President Li Xiannian visited Bangladesh in March 1986, will steer a 'historic new journey' towards opening up a 'new horizon' in relations between the two countries.
BBN/SSR/AD