Media Has an Important Role in Strengthening Bangladesh-China Friendship: Culture Minister
The media of Bangladesh and China have an important role to play in further strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries, Culture Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury has said.
He said the histories, traditions, cultures, economic activities, lifestyles, emotions and struggles of the two countries have much in common, and that these shared elements can bring the people of the two countries closer to each other.
He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the 'China Media Group (CMG) Golden Silk Road Media Award Bangladesh' ceremony at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital on Wednesday evening (11 November).
Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the history and heritage of Bangladesh are very old and glorious. At one time, the people of Bengal did not have to go abroad in search of fortune; rather, people from different parts of the world came to Bengal in the hope of trade and a change of fortune, and Bengal was then called Sonar Bangla, or Golden Bengal.
He said the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to Bengal in search of knowledge. Ibn Battuta also came to Bengal and mentioned the prosperity and trade of this region in his travelogue. Although Bangladesh has fallen behind for various historical reasons, he said, the country’s history, heritage and culture remain a matter of pride.
Drawing historical and economic parallels between China and Bangladesh, the minister said both countries are primarily agricultural. Just as China has advanced through the use of appropriate technology and the development of agriculture and industry, he said, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, after coming to power, took initiatives for canal digging, river excavation, improvement of irrigation and the enrichment of rural industry, through which Bangladesh too moved rapidly towards prosperity.
He also said the similarities between the two countries in history, culture, economic activity, lifestyle and people’s emotions can deepen mutual relations, and the media can play an important role in this regard.
Referring to the experiences of Bangladeshi journalists who visited China, he said journalists from various Bangladeshi media outlets had gone to China and seen different aspects of the country. He expressed hope that Chinese journalists and media workers would likewise come to Bangladesh, and that friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries would grow stronger.
At the ceremony, 26 journalists from various media, including newspapers, online outlets, multimedia and television, were given awards in different categories.
Distinguished personalities from Bangladesh and China, members of parliament and media personalities were present at the ceremony.
