H.E. Mr. Touhid Hossain,

Honorable Acting Foreign Secretary

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum and Good afternoon.

Let me begin by thanking Touhid Bhai for hosting the luncheon in my honor at the end of my assignment in Bangladesh and expressing gratitude to all guests attending the luncheon.

As you all know that during my 30 years of diplomatic career, most of the time was devoted to Bangladeshi affairs no matter in Dhaka or Beijing. In Dhaka alone, I spent 50% of my diplomatic life in different capacities up to Ambassador to Bangladesh. I have the opportunity to see through my eyes the amazing changes of the society, the remarkable development of the economy and the great improvement of the people's life. In last 30 years, I picked up the local language. I tried for years to study and understand Bangladesh and its people. I think that I have become to know them. I could deeply feel the true love and genuine friendship of the people of Bangladesh to the people of China. Therefore, I have special sentiment on Bangladesh and its people, and consider Dhaka as my second home.

In last 30 years, through the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the Sino-Bangladeshi diplomatic relations have been growing from scratch to increasing depth and height. On the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and in accordance with mutual benefits, China and Bangladesh have forged all-round and multi-faceted exchange and cooperations in politics, economy, trade, culture, science and technology with outstanding achievements. During my three and a half years stay in Dhaka as Ambassador, I have tried my best to further improve the friendly relations and cooperation between out two countries. The total trade volume almost doubled up to 3 billion USD. And I feel pride in putting my special efforts to facilitate the establishment of the direct air-link between Beijing and Dhaka via Kunming, making the personnel exchange much more convenient. In 2005, the year of Sino-Bangladesh Friendship and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, our two sides successfully carried out series of celebration programmes. It is particularly worthwhile to mention that the heads of the two governments realized exchange of visits in the same year of 2005, which witnessed the establishment of Sino-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefit. The bilateral relations were injected with new impetus and stepped into a new era of advancement. I sincerely hope and believe that the Sino-Bangladeshi friendly relations will be further enhanced in the days to come in the benefits of our two peoples.

Excellencies,

I have indeed a nice and memorable stay in Dhaka for the 5th time. If you consider I have successfully fulfilled my task, I must say I can not do it without the support and assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other departments of Bangladeshi government. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

On the eve of my departure, I have to admit the complex emotions in heart. For diplomats, we always move on in our jobs during whole life, but that does not mean we move on in our friendship. Yet a famous ancient Chinese poet writes that As long as you have a friend who knows your heart, distance can't keep you two apart. Wherever I may be, I will always cherish the good memory of my life in Bangladesh and friendship with you all.

Let me end my speech with the poem of Tagore in Stray Birds I came to your shore as a stranger, I lived in your house as a guest, I leave your door as a friend, my earth.

May Bangladesh enjoy peace, progress and prosperity,

May China and Bangladesh enjoy everlasting friendship and even closer mutual-beneficial cooperation,

Wish every one present here good health and happiness