Photo : BSS

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct 31, 2025 (BSS)- China has said Bangladesh's development vision and the Chinese Dream share deep similarities, reflecting shared aspirations for prosperity and offering broad prospects for enhanced cooperation between the two countries, especially between Guangzhou and Bangladesh.

"We are confident that this vision will bring even more cooperation opportunities for Guangzhou and Bangladesh," said Liu Liu, deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government.

She made the remarks while hosting a dinner in honour of a visiting delegation of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Hilton Hotel in Guangzhou on Thursday evening. 

Liu said the friendship between Bangladesh and China stretches back centuries, with figures such as Xuanzang and Zheng He leaving behind inspiring stories of cultural exchange.

"Since we established diplomatic relations in 1975, our bilateral ties have grown steadily," she added.

Highlighting Guangzhou's development goals, Liu said the city is striving to become "a beautiful, livable, and dynamic international metropolis-a top destination for foreign investment, talent, and business growth."

"We look forward to working closely with you, carrying forward the enduring spirit of the Silk Road, and deepening practical cooperation for a mutually beneficial and bright future," she continued.

Liu outlined Guangzhou's three major international roles-- an ancient trading hub linked to over 200 countries and regions, a global transport and logistics centre home to China Southern Airlines, the country's largest carrier; and a leading centre for international exchanges hosting 69 
consulates-- general and 110 partner cities worldwide.

She said both the city's total retail sales and foreign trade volume exceed 1.1 trillion RMB, while the Canton Fair, held for 138 consecutive sessions, remains China's largest and longest-running trade exhibition.

Liu added that Guangzhou Port ranks fifth globally in cargo throughput and sixth in container handling, while its high-speed railway network leads the nation in departures and passenger volume.

Over 50,000 foreign enterprises currently operate in Guangzhou, and 368 Fortune Global 500 companies have invested in nearly 2,000 projects across the city.

Describing five core strengths, Liu said Guangzhou is a metropolis of 18.98 million residents with 84 universities educating 1.65 million students; an economic powerhouse with 2024 GDP of 3.1 trillion yuan, ranking fifth in China; an innovation hub hosting 15,000 high-tech firms and 24 unicorns; a cultural capital of 2,239 years with world-class landmarks; and a model of green development, recognized with the UN-endorsed LivCom Award.

The DCAB delegation began its week-long visit to Guangdong Province on October 29, touring the Guangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Centre, Pearl River Night Cruise, Guangzhou Xin Shi Hospital, Guangzhou Metro Bureau's under-construction metro project, and the ongoing 138th Canton Fair.

The Canton fair, featuring over 32,000 exhibitors and more than 400 leading purchasing companies, showcases one million new products and 800,000 items debuting this year-including robotics and smart medical technologies.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair-held twice annually-is considered the "barometer of China's foreign trade."

With Guangzhou serving as China's southern gateway, the Chinese foreign ministry's official said Bangladesh stands well-placed to tap into China's innovation, transport, and trade networks, deepening cooperation rooted in common goals of national rejuvenation and people-centred progress.