Bangladesh and China on Thursday signed 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering various areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The MoUs were signed following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, focusing on Bangladesh-China relations, trade, investment, infrastructure development and other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting began at 5:00pm local time (3:00pm Bangladesh time) and ended around 5:45pm, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation while Premier Li Qiang headed the Chinese side during the talks.

The Bangladesh delegation included Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials.

Later, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and members of the Bangladesh delegation joined a state banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in their honour at the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the two leaders would discuss Bangladesh-China relations, trade, investment, infrastructure development and other issues of mutual interest.

Tarique Rahman was accorded a warm red-carpet reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing upon his arrival for holding the bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

To mark Tarique Rahman's visit, the Great Hall of the People and the surrounding areas on the western edge of Tiananmen Square were decorated with the national flags of Bangladesh and China.