Dhaka-Beijing agreements to drive transformation in Bangladesh's emerging media landscape: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has expressed hope that the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between Bangladesh and China during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China will bring a qualitative transformation to Bangladesh's new media sector.

Speaking to BSS, Swapon highlighted the significance of the four MoUs signed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with its Chinese counterparts.

"As the Information and Broadcasting Minister, I signed four MoUs with the Chinese government. Through these agreements, we have committed to exchanging knowledge and experience in information management between the two countries," he said.

The minister said the agreements would also pave the way for joint research on media technology and artificial intelligence (AI), drawing on China's advanced technological expertise.

"We have agreed to undertake research on media technology and AI with support from a technologically advanced country like China. We are confident that these joint initiatives will bring a new qualitative change to Bangladesh's new media sector," he added.

Following the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last Thursday, Bangladesh and China signed 17 MoUs, including 13 in the presence of the two leaders. Six of those agreements were related to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Swapon said the high-level meetings between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Speaker of the Chinese Parliament reflected the strength of bilateral ties.

"With the highest level of respect and importance accorded during these meetings, we are confident that Bangladesh-China relations will elevate our country's economy, technological capacity and international standing to a new level," he said.

The minister noted that the visit marked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first overseas trip since assuming office following the election.

"We are deeply impressed by China's sincerity and warmth. The respect and hospitality extended to the delegation led by the Prime Minister reflect China's goodwill towards the people of Bangladesh," he said.

Swapon said President Xi Jinping remarked during his meeting with Tarique Rahman that the visit would take Bangladesh-China relations to a qualitatively new stage.

He added that the bilateral relationship, which began under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and was further strengthened during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, is now poised to reach a new height under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

"This is not my observation. These are the words of Chinese President Xi Jinping," the minister said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26. During his stay in Beijing, he held separate bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman; Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon; Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie; State Minister for Energy and Power Aninya Islam Amit; State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat; and the Prime Minister's advisers Humayun Kabir, AKM Shamsul Islam, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Mahadi Amin.