Beijing, Oct 4 (UNI) Chinese State Counselor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged congratulatory messages with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Moman on Sunday, with both sides vowing to pursue bilateral relations with closer cooperation.

In the messages to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh, Wang said that during the last 45 years, the two countries have been following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and their multidimensional exchanges and cooperation have yielded fruitful results.

The top Chinese diplomat reminded that he and Momen have had phone conversations twice since earlier this year, leading to close communication between the two countries on COVID-19 as well as joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Wang said he is ready to continue to maintain communication and coordination with Momen, make best effort to implement the important consensuses reached by leaders of the two countries.

Momen, for his part, thanked China for its assistance to Bangladesh’s fight against the pandemic, noting that the Bangladesh-China relationship has been developing rapidly over the past 40-odd years.

People of both countries understand each other, while cooperation and friendship have been deepened with time, Momen said.

Bangladesh values China as a true friend and a trust-worthy partner of development, Momen said, adding that his country is willing to make joint efforts with China in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.