BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Tarique Rahman on his assuming office as the prime minister of Bangladesh.

In his message, Li said that China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners sharing a long history of friendly exchanges.

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Over the past 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and pursued win-win cooperation, serving as a model of exchanges between countries, said Li.

The Chinese government supports the smooth administration of the new Bangladeshi government, said Li, noting that he stands ready to work with the Bangladeshi prime minister to carry forward the traditional friendship, advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and push forward exchanges and cooperation in all sectors, so as to promote the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level and bring more benefit to the people of both countries.