DHAKA : Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has hoped that the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between Bangladesh and China, during the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent China visit, would bring a qualitative change in Bangladesh's new media.

He expressed this optimism while talking to BSS about the signing of four MoUs with China by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Swapon said: "As the Information and Broadcasting Minister, I have signed four MoUs with the Chinese government. Through these signings, we have agreed to jointly exchange our experiences and knowledge in the field of information management between the two countries."

"We have agreed to conduct research on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the media by taking knowledge from a modern technology-rich country like China. We are confident that through our joint efforts, we will be able to bring a new qualitative change in the field of new media," he said.

After the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last Thursday, 17 MoUs were signed between the two countries.
 
Among those, 13 MoUs were signed in the presence of the two premiers. Of those, six were related to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Swapon said, "With the highest level of respect, importance and talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Prime Minister, and Chinese Parliament Speaker, we are confident that the relations between Bangladesh and China will elevate our country's economy, technology and international political status to a new height."

The information minister said this was the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first foreign visit as the elected Prime Minister. 

"We are impressed by China's sincerity and love. The love that China has showed for this delegation led by the Honorable Prime Minister is truly a reflection of their commitment and love for our people," he said.

Swapon said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his meeting with Tarique Rahman mentioned that through this visit, the relations between the two countries would enter a qualitatively new level.
 
As the relations began at the hands of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and was developed at the hands of late Prime Minister, the Mother of Democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia, he said.
 
"It is now going to reach a new level under the leadership of our elected Prime Minister. This is not my comment. This is the comment of Chinese President Xi Jinping," he said.

From June 21-26, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman first visited Malaysia and then China.
 
During his visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held bilateral meetings with the Chinese Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman 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 Prime Minister's Advisers Humayun Kabir, AKM Shamsul Islam, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Mahadi Amin.