Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached China on Friday. She left Dhaka for China on a six-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport at 11:30am local time (9:30am BST).

Earlier, the flight departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:35am for Kunming.  

Ministers and high civil and military officials saw the PM off at the airport.

Bangladesh Ambassador Azizul Haque and representatives of Chinese government will receive the prime minister at the airport.

From the airport Hasina will be taken to Green Lake Hotel, where she will reside during her stay in Kunming.

This will be her first bilateral trip to China and second foreign visit after taking office in January last.

The foreign ministry sources said, Chinese support to build the Sonadia Deep Sea Port will get priority in the prime minister level talks during Hasina's visit to China.

Besides, Bangladesh will seek Chinese assistance for implementing its six mega projects — 1320 MW coal- fired power plant at Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali, National ICT Information Network for Bangladesh Government Phase-3, Rajshahi WASA water treatment plant, construction of multi-lane based tunnel under the Karnafuli river, second Rail and Road bridge over Karnafuli river at Kalurghat in Chittagong and construction of Chittagong- Ramu-Cox's Bazar and Ramu-Gundhum dual gauge rail tracks.

Officials said, the main objective of the visit is to discuses with the new Chinese leadership different issues to protect Bangladesh's interests at bilateral, regional and internationals forums, and strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries

A 70-member business delegation would accompany the prime minister during her visit to China.

The next year will be the 40 years of diplomatic ties of Bangladesh with China.

In this respect, officials said, the prime minister's China visit would play a significant role in strengthening the relations.

Official talks between the premiers of Bangladesh and China will be held at Great Hall of People on June 9.

She will also sign a joint communique with Li Keqiang after the talks, official sources said.

A welcome ceremony will be arranged in her honour at the Great Hall of People where she will be given a Guard of Honour.

Hasina will attend a banquet to be hosted by Li Keqiang.

On the first leg of her visit the PM will go to Kunming and from there she will head for Chinese capital Beijing on Sunday.

In Beijing, she will pay wreath at the Monument of the People's Heroes on June 8.

She will also visit Beijing Chaoyang Theater and Acrobatic World.

On June 9, the prime minister will deliver a keynote speech at a seminar at China Institute of International Studies (CIIS).

She will address Bangladesh China Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum in Beijing on June 10.

She will call on President of China XI Jinping and hold a meeting with Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of People.

Hasina will attend the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd China-South Asia Expo in Kunming and attend a banquet to be hosted by Li Jiheng, governor of Yunan province, on June 6.

She will attend as a keynote speaker in the 9th China-South Asia Business Forum on June 7.

Later, she will visit the Stone Forest.

In the evening governor of Yunan province along with his predecessor will pay a courtesy call on her at her hotel suite.

During the visit, Hasina will give interview with CCTV, Phonix TV, Yunan TV and Bangla Department of China Radio International.

She will also attend a cultural performance by students of Bangla Department of Communication University, China.

She will return home on June 11 via Hong Kong.

BBN/AS/SS-06June14-8:00am (BST)