Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China places Bangladesh at a very important position in its neighborhood diplomacy and praised the existing warm relations between the two nations.
He reaffirmed Chinese commitment to 'Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership' with Bangladesh, during his talks with Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Diaoyuitai State Guest House in Beijing on Tuesday
morning.
Foreign Minister Wang requested Bangladesh to consider joining President Xi's three global initiatives namely GDI, GSI and GCI.
In response, Touhid Hossain said the proposals would be examined and that Bangladesh will discuss the issues
with China.
They agreed to collaborate on each other's candidature in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
The two sides expressed their commitment to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest and leveraging opportunities for shared prosperity, said a Foreign Ministry release in Dhaka.
"Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned that the people of Bangladesh have given important responsibility to Professor Yunus who has dedicated himself in maintaining civility and unity of the country, and his government has done many tangible good things for Bangladesh," it said.
Adviser Hossain is paying an official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister. Senior officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Water Resources and the Economic Relations Division are accompanying the Foreign Adviser.
This is Touhid Hossain's first bilateral visit abroad as Foreign Adviser. His visit coincided with the golden jubilee celebration of diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations.
Adviser Hossain was warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi before the talks, held in a very cordial atmosphere.
The two sides discussed wide range of topics including development cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure development, sectoral cooperation, and people to people exchanges, the release said.
Chinese Foreign Minister recalled his fruitful meeting with Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the last UNGA.
Foreign Minister Wang reaffirmed that China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bangladesh and reiterated continued Chinese support for the stability, reforms, democratic transition, and development initiatives of Bangladesh.
He said China wants to see Bangladesh's economic development keeping pace with development.
'China would support projects conducive to the livelihood of the people of Bangladesh,' Wang said.
Touhid Hossain said his first bilateral visit to China reflects Bangladesh's strong desire to remain engaged with China for robust partnership and give the relationship a new momentum.
Hossain reiterated Bangladesh's firm commitment to 'One China Principle' and unwavering support to UNGA Resolution 2758.
He said July-August 2024 movement in Bangladesh gave an opportunity to rebuild our nation on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, corruption free system and equal access to resources for all. He requested China to reduce interest rate from 2-3 per cent to 1 per cent, waive commitment fee and extend loan repayment period from 20 years to 30 years for both the Preferential Buyer's Credit (PBC) loan and Government Concessional Loan (GCL). Praising Bangladesh's good track record in loan repayment, the release said.
Wang agreed in principle to extend the loan repayment period and assured to look into the request of the interest rate reduction.
He assured continuation of duty-free quata-free access of Bangladeshi products to Chinese market for 3 years after the LDC graduation.
Following Bangladesh's request, Foreign Minister Wang conveyed China's decision to especially designate 3 to 4 recognised hospitals in Kunming for treatment of Bangladeshi patients. He also welcomed Bangladesh's proposal of establishing a specialised tertiary level Chinese hospital in Dhaka as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.
Foreign Minister Wang said der Bangladesh's requests for financial, technical and capacity building cooperation and support in sectors such as education, railway, agriculture, water resource management, livestock, fisheries, shipbreaking, sustainable and renewable energy, and blue economy would be positively considered.
The two sides agreed to organise host of activities to celebrate the golden jubilee of establishment of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties in a grand manner.
Recognizing Bangladesh's strategic position, the two sides emphasized continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They expressed their willingness to work closely on proposed Chinese funded projects, Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, Upgradation and Modernisation of Mongla Port, Establishing Digital Connectivity and 4G Expansion.
The two leaders discussed the Rohingya crisis and reaffirmed their shared commitment to work on a roadmap to find a durable solution to the issue. Foreign Minister Wang reassured China's continued engagement with Myanmar to address the situation and promote regional stability.
The talks concluded with the signing of the 'Implementation Plan of the MoU on Exchange of Hydrological Information Sharing of the Yaluzangbu-Jamuna River'.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain invited Foreign Minister Wang to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Foreign Minister Wang hosted a lunch in honour of Foreign Adviser Hossain and his delegation.
Foreign Adviser Hossain also had a meeting with the Minister of International Department of Chinese Communist Party. They discussed Chinese funded development projects in Bangladesh. They also discussed reform initiatives of the interim government in Bangladesh. The Chinese leader reaffirmed China's continued support for the interim government and peaceful transition to democracy through a free, fair and participatory election.
Hossain also held a meeting with the Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). They had elaborate discussion on the China funded projects in Bangladesh. Adviser Hossain requested CIDCA Chairman to consider reducing the interest rate of GCL and PBC Loan from 2-3 per cent to 1 per cent and to extend the maturity period from 20 years to 30 years. He also requested to waive the commitment fee and management fee for Chinese loans to Bangladesh. The CIDCA Chairman mentioned that they have already extended maturity period and they will consider further reduction of interest rate.
Touhid Hossain requested CIDCA Chairman to increase concessional credit and grants, and number of projects. CIDCA Chairman responded positively and requested Bangladesh to provide a list of priority projects.
The two sides also discussed financing of projects in metro rail and Southern Infrastructure Development Initiative (SIDI) in Bangladesh. CIDCA Chairman noted that China may consider larger projects in Bangladesh in future some portion of which will be given as grant. As a result, this will reduce the average loan interest rate.
Foreign Adviser Hossain arrived in Beijing yesterday midnight. He was received by Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam and high-level officials of Chinese Foreign Ministry.
