Vice Premier Huang Ju said in Beijing Wednesday that China will promote Sino-Bangladeshi relations, especially economic and trade relations, to a new high.

During his meeting with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Wednesday evening, Huang expressed condolences to the victims in bomb-attacks in Bangladesh.

Huang told Zia that bilateral relations witnessed steady development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago and is progressing soundly.

"The three-decade-long history has proved that Bangladesh is a close and friendly neighbor and a reliable friend of China," Huang told Zia at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing upon a banquet marking the two countries' diplomatic relations.

Huang proposed to enhance cooperation with Bangladesh in the trading of machinery and electronic products, high-tech products and in implementing large projects; expand two-way investment and explore new cooperation fields such as energy and agro science.

Zia said Bangladesh will work hard along with China to implement the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders and push cooperation in all fields.

Zia arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon for a five-day official visit to China as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao.

During her stay in Beijing, Zia, the first female prime minister in Bangladesh, is scheduled to meet or hold talks with President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen.

Besides Beijing, Zia will also visit Guilin, a tourism resort in China's southwest Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangzhou, capital city of the southern Guangdong Province.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)