Bangladesh and China reaffirmed their commitment to ‘Comprehensive Strategic  Cooperative Partnership’ during bilateral talks held between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Chinese Foreign Minister  Wang Yi this morning at the Diaoyuitai State Guest House in Beijing. 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 his first bilateral visit abroad after assuming charge. This visit also coincides with the celebration of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations.

Adviser Hossain was warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi before the bilateral talks. The talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere covering wide range of topics including development cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure development, sectoral  cooperation, and people to people exchanges. Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening collaboration in areas of mutual interest and leveraging opportunities for shared prosperity.

During the talks, 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. He mentioned that China places Bangladesh at a very important position in her neighborhood diplomacy and praised the existing warm relations between the two nations. He recalled his fruitful meeting with Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the last UNGA. Foreign Minister Wang Yi 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 also mentioned that China wants to see Bangladesh’s economic development in pace with their own development.

‘China would continue supporting projects conducive to the livelihood of the people of Bangladesh’–the Foreign Minister stated.

Adviser Hossain emphasized that his first bilateral visit to China reflects Bangladesh’s strong intent to engage with China in a robust partnership to give the relationship a new  momentum. Adviser Hossain reiterated Bangladesh’s firm commitment to ‘One China Principle’ and unwavering support for UNGA Resolution 2758. He mentioned that 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% to 1%, 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, Foreign Minister Yi agreed in principle to extend the loan repayment period and assured to look into the request of the interest rate reduction. He assured to continue DFQF access of Bangladeshi products to Chinese market for 3 years after the LDC graduation.

Upon Bangladesh’s request, Foreign Minister Yi conveyed China’s decision to especially designate 3 to 4 recognized hospitals in Kunming for treatment of Bangladeshi patients. He also welcomed Bangladesh’s proposal of establishing a specialized tertiary level Chinese hospital in Dhaka as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations. 

The Chinese Foreign Minister also gave positive responses to consider 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, said a press release of the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh.

During the meeting, both sides conveyed their readiness to organize host of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China in a grand manner. Recognizing Bangladesh’s strategic position, two sides emphasized continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They expressed their willingness to work closely on proposed Chinese funded projects namely Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, Upgradation and Modernization of Mongla Port, Establishing Digital Connectivity and 4G Expansion. Both leaders discussed the Rohingya crisis and reaffirmed their shared commitment to work on a roadmap to finding a durable solution to the issue. Foreign Minister Wang Yi reassured China’s continued engagement with Myanmar to address the situation and promote regional stability.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also requested Bangladesh to consider joining President Xi’s three global initiatives namely GDI, GSI and GCI. In response, Bangladesh conveyed their intention to examine the proposals and to remain engaged with China in deliberations on the issues. They also agreed to collaborate on each other’s candidature in multilateral fora including in the United Nations.

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 extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. Foreign Minister hosted a lunch in honor of the Foreign Adviser and his delegation.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain also had a meeting with the Minister of International Department of the Chinese Communist Party. During the meeting, they discussed Chinese funded development projects in Bangladesh. They also talked about the reform initiatives of the interim government in Bangladesh. The Chinese Minister 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) this afternoon. 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% to 1% 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. The Foreign Affairs Adviser requested CIDCA Chairman to increase the amount of concessional loans and grants, and number of projects. CIDCA Chairman responded positively and requested Bangladesh to provide a list of priority projects. Both 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 Md Touhid Hossain arrived in Beijing yesterday midnight. He was received by Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md. Nazmul Islam and high-level officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry