Staff Reporter :
Country’s 99 percent products will now enjoy duty free access to China from September 1 while Bangladesh has reiterated its firm commitment to ‘One China’ principle pertaining to the Taiwan.
The assurances and commitment springs in the bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the capital on Sunday.
Apart from this, China has made the commitment to do their best to find out a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
China has urged Bangladesh to start the Economic Zone in Anwara in Chattagram where China has agreed to provide necessary support.
But Bangladesh did not talk about any Chinese loans during the bilateral meeting.
The Chinese FM also assured that the Bangladeshi students would be able to return to China at an early date.
Hailing from the meeting in the morning, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told the journalists, “China has offered Bangladesh another one percent duty free facility in exporting Bangladeshi goods. Now we will be able to export 99 percent of our products to China duty free.”
He also mentioned that Bangladesh is going to enjoy this facility to be effective from September this year.
The hour-long close-door meeting also prompted to sign at least four memorandum of understanding (MoUs) between the two development partners in a bid to boost bilateral cooperation.
The bilateral instruments are the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge (new), plan of special assistance of disaster prevention and reduction (renewal), cultural and tourism exchange programme for 2023-27 (renewal), and cooperation on marine science and technology between the University of Dhaka and First Institute of Oceanography of China (new).
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming and high-level Bangladesh government officials inked the deals in an event held in Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
Shahriar Alam also said that Chinese FM has thanked Bangladesh for reiterating its firm adherence to ‘One China’ policy and sought Bangladesh cooperation to stand with Beijing which is looking forward a ‘shared future’ for all the countries.
“We know what is happening in Taiwan. China has its own policy. He thanked Bangladesh and expressed gratitude for our position pertaining to Taiwan,” he added.
The state minister also said that Chinese FM explained the Taiwan issue in detail and noted that some countries ‘misunderstand and misinterpret’ them and they need to abide by the international rules.
During the meeting Bangladesh urged all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint from any steps that may aggravate tensions and undermine peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Apart from the bilateral and Taiwan issues, China has also discussed on Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI).
Regarding the Bangladeshi students who are pursuing education in China, Shahriar Alam said, “Around five thousand Bangaldeshi students who could not go to China due to pandemic will be able to go to China within a day or two. The students will get visas. The meeting discussed the issue.”
Recently Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming told that Bangladesh would be the first country which will get access to China after pandemic.
About the Chinese Economic Zone, Shahriar said, “China has urged us to begin the Economic Zone soon in Anwara. China will provide technical assistance and set up many Chinese industries. Bangladesh will take necessary measures.”
The Chinese Foreign Minister has welcomed the move of running Bangladesh Biman direct flight to China, the State Minister said.
Before wrapping up less than 24-hour Dhaka visit to go to Mongolia, Wang Yi paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen saw his counterpart Wang Yi off at the Hazrat International Airport at around 11am.
