DHAKA, (Xinhua) -- The Eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge has opened to traffic in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, speaking virtually for the opening ceremony held on Sunday, expressed gratitude to China for the financial and technical assistance in the construction of the bridge.

In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said China is willing to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative, and to jointly explore new opportunities under the China-proposed Global Development Initiative.

Previously seven Bangladesh-China friendship bridges had been built with Chinese aid across Bangladesh since the 1980s. ■