Dhaka – Bangladesh gets ready to offer a rousing reception to Chinese President Xi Jinping as he is scheduled to arrive at 11:40am on in Dhaka, said officials on Friday.

This visit bears important landmark as a Chinese leader pays the visit after three decades. The then president Li Xiannian came to Bangladesh in March 1986.

The main city streets of the capital have been decorated with colorful lights and flags of Bangladesh alongside the portraits of Chinese leader and Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid and  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Heartiest welcome to his Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping President of China, Long Live Bangladesh-China Friendship” are among the words used on colourful posters to welcome Xi.

Dhaka gets a face lift ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to Bangladesh

Bangladesh terms the 22-hour visit a historic one in terms of relations between the two countries. The countries established diplomatic ties in 1975.

“I believe with the joint efforts of our two peoples, China-Bangladesh cooperation will bear even more golden fruits,” President Xi said in an article describing Bangladesh a ‘beautiful’ country.

Two Bangladesh Air Force Jet Fighters will escort the Chinese president’s aircraft once it enters the Bangladesh skyline.

The president will be accorded a red-carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute at the VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where he will also be given a guard of honour following his landing.

President Abdul Hamid will greet his Chinese counterpart at the airport.

The Chinese leader will hold bilateral talks with President Abdul Hamid, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka.

The police have taken unprecedented security arrangements to ensure safety of the Chinese leader.

Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali over 25 Memorandum of Understanding on different development issues including economic cooperation, fresh investment, power and energy, agriculture, water management and blue economy are expected to be signed in the presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Xi.

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