Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to engage in Bangladesh’s development efforts.
He made the commitment at the official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Beijing on Monday.
Hasina is visiting the country to attend the second China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, capital of southwest Yunnan Province.
This is her third visit to China and the first one since she was elected prime minister for the second consecutive term in January.
Earlier, China had announced that it would work with the new government led by the Awami League though most of the western countries vented their dissatisfaction at the 10th parliamentary elections, which were held amid a boycott of the BNP and its allies in the Opposition.
After the talks between the two prime ministers at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, on the fourth day of Hasina’s visit, two agreements and a memorandum of understanding and two exchanges of notes were signed between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque told reporters after the meeting: “Li Keqiang has praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and said that China will remain involved in Bangladesh’s development.”
He said Hasina discussed with the Li five projects in Bangladesh and the Chinese premier pledged to extend support to them.
The secretary said Li asked his finance minister to look into how the projects could be implemented.
The projects are ‘development of infra network of information technology for Bangladesh government’, construction of WASA water treatment plant at Rajshahi, construction of second road bridge with rail track at Kalurghat in Chittagong, installation of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar rail line, and building of a unit at Eastern Refinery.
Asked if there was any discussion on construction of Sonadia deep seaport, Haque answered in the affirmative.
“It has been discussed. The two sides agreed to continue discussion on the issue,” he said.
He said Dhaka and Beijing signed an agreement on installation of a coal-based power plant in Bangladesh and agreed to construct a special economic zone for China.
At the meeting, Hasina urged her counterpart to increase Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
On her arrival at the Great Hall of People, the parliament building, the Chinese premier received Hasina.
Before the meeting, she was given a guard of honour.
Li said at the beginning of the meeting the ‘strong ties’ that developed between the two countries at the initiative of Hasina were being consolidated.
Hasina called China a trustworthy friend of Bangladesh and said her government always attached high importance to relations with Beijing.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary said the two sides had frank discussions on issues including regional connectivity.
He said China sought Bangladesh’s support for ‘prompt’ implementation of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor project and Hasina promised cooperation.
At a request from Hasina, Premier Li ‘instantly’ ordered an increase in the number of Chinese scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The secretary said the two leaders also discussed defence affairs.
He said Hasina sought Chinese support for conducting sea research.
She talked about exchange of technology on hybrid rice and Li stressed the need for establishment of a joint rice research centre to carry out study on such rice.
The Chinese premier accepted Hasina’s invite to visit Bangladesh.
Source: Bd news24
