PM heads to China after concluding Malaysia visit

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed Malaysia for China on Monday afternoon, beginning the next leg of his first official overseas tour since taking office.

A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other members of the delegation left Kuala Lumpur for Dalian, a major port city in northeastern China.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman will spend the next two days in Dalian before travelling to Beijing for a series of high-level engagements.

Before his departure, the Prime Minister was seen off at Kuala Lumpur International Airport‍‍`s VVIP terminal by Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan and other senior officials. Bangladesh‍‍`s High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury and Deputy High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica were also present.

Tarique Rahman arrived in Malaysia on Sunday and held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as part of efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation. He also attended several official programmes during the two-day visit.

The Bangladesh premier is travelling to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

During his stay in Dalian, Tarique Rahman will participate in the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum, commonly known as the Summer Davos. The event, scheduled from June 23 to 25, is expected to bring together more than 1,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions.

This year‍‍`s forum will focus on innovation, global economic developments, industrial transformation, emerging technologies and sustainable growth.

As part of his China visit, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Premier Li Qiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.

He is expected to return to Bangladesh on June 26 after completing the multi-country diplomatic tour.