The 55th year of broadcasting Banglaprograms in China’s state media was celebrated in Dhaka on Monday evening.

Minister of State for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Yan Hualongjoined the event titled ‘Hello China’ on the office premises of Deepta TV as the guests of honor.

A New Year concert was held as part of the celebration, where famed musician Tahsan (Tahsan Rahman Khan) and popular rock band Chirkut performed.

Director of Africa and Asian Center of China Media Group (CMG) An Xiao Yu spoke via video while Director of CMGBangla Department Yu Guang Yue Anandi joined the program online from Beijing. Deepto TV Managing Director KaziZahedul Hasan also spoke on the occasion.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury gave a message on the occasion, where he praised the contribution of Bangla programs in the Chinese media to strengtheningexchanges between Bangladesh and China. “You are not only witnesses to history, but also makers of history,” he toldnewsmen and others working in this media.

In his speech, the minister of state for cultural affairs said China is currently Bangladesh’s largest development partner and the friendly country’s contribution to Bangladesh’s national development is undeniable. He welcomed the initiative ofestablishing Bangladesh-China Media Club at the initiative of CMG Bangla and expressed hope that the club would further strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.

In his speech, the minister of state for cultural affairs said both Bangladesh and China have very active and vibrant media and they have already forged a good relationship, benefiting both the countries. He urged the media of Bangladesh and China to further cement their cooperation in the interest of themselves and their countries.

An Xiao Yu said there are many similarities between the Chinese nation’s dream of ‘Great Rejuvenation’ and the Bangladeshi people’s dream of ‘Golden Bengal’. Noting that China-Bangladesh cooperation has brought benefits to the people of both countries, he said CMG would work with friends at all levels of the two countries to deepen media cooperation and advance China-Bangladesh friendship.

Kazi Zahedul Hasan termed China a genuine friend of Bangladesh and said the neighboring country always stands by Bangladesh in its development journey.

Broadcasting of Bangla programs in China’s state media began on January 1, 1969 through the then Radio Peking. Radio Peking was later renamed Radio Beijing and then China Radio International (CRI). In 2018, CMG was formed comprising CRI and three other state media outlets – China Central Television (CCTV), China Global Television Network (CGTN) and China National Radio (CNR).

The Bangla Department of China Media Group has taken a new initiative to establish Bangladesh-China Media Club this year to increase the communication and exchange between the media of Bangladesh and China. Jastiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin SharminChaudhury, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Minister of State for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid praised the initiative and congratulated the people concerned.