BEIJING : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People here this morning.

Earlier, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spokesman Mahdi Amin said Tarique Rahman would raise various issues related to Bangladesh's national interests in the meeting. 

This visit aims to deepen Bangladesh-China relations across multiple dimensions, said Amin. 

From strategic cooperation to trade, investment, employment, development projects, and people-to-people exchanges, bilateral engagement between the two countries is expected to reach new heights, he said.

Earlier, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, called on the Bangladesh premier at the same venue.

Prior to the meetings, the prime minister arrived at the Great Hall around 9:30 am after paying tributes at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square.

He paid homage to the Chinese revolutionary heroes by placing a special red-green wreath at the monument.

The national anthems of the two countries were played on the occasion while the bugle sounded the last post.

After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Chinese heroes.

Earlier, on his arrival at the square around 9:10 am local time, a smartly turned-out contingent of the Chinese Armed Forces gave the Bangladesh premier the state salute.

Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other entourage members were present on the occasion.

The prime minister is now in Beijing on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.

On Thursday, Bangladesh and China signed 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering bilateral cooperation in various areas following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People.

At the end of the meeting and the signing of MoUs, Tarique Rahman, along with his delegation, joined a banquet hosted by Li Qiang. 

The prime minister arrived in Beijing on Wednesday where he was accorded the highest state honours, including a ceremonial red-carpet reception and exceptional hospitality.

Like his visits to Malaysia and the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos meeting in China, this trip was also undertaken with a very small delegation of only 25 members, including 11 ministers, state ministers, and advisers.

Tarique Rahman's visit to China is the second leg of his maiden official overseas visit after his Malaysia tour. 

The premier is scheduled to depart Beijing for Dhaka at 5 pm today.