UNB, Dhaka :
China wants ‘peaceful solution’ to any problem through discussions as it does not want violence in Bangladesh, said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Monday.
“If any problem emerges, China wants its peaceful solution through discussions,” he told reporters at the Foreign Ministry while briefing them about Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Bangladesh Ambassador to China M Fazlul Karim and Director Generals of the Foreign Ministry were present at the briefing.
Asked whether the Chinese Foreign Minister indicated any particular problem which needs a peaceful solution, Mahmood Ali said, “No, he didn’t mention any problem.”
The Foreign Minister also said peaceful solution means they do not want to see violence and terrorist activities in Bangladesh.
He said, the Chinese Foreign Minister expressed interest to extend cooperation in the areas of power and energy sector. Wang Yi also assured Bangladesh of its support in setting up coal-based power station and exploring oil and gas, Mahmood Ali said.
On installing a tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, he said both the countries agreed on ensuring rapid progress. “We both sides are working so that the work starts soon. And discussion is on about a top-level visit when the work will start formally,” he added.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh wants to work as a bridge between the South Asia and Southeast Asia, and China supports Bangladesh in this regard.
Asked how Bangladesh will be benefited through signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, the Foreign Minister said China is ready to remove all the obstacles so that trade does not decrease in any way instead of rise. The Foreign Minister emphasised boosting Chinese investment in Bangladesh to reduce the trade gap with China primarily.
The Chinese Foreign Minister identified five priority areas of cooperation-trade, industrialization, energy and infrastructure development, said Mahmood Ali.
Bangladesh proposed formation of a joint working group on trade and industry and a bilateral investment forum which was welcomed by the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Asked whether Sonadia deep seaport issue was discussed, the Foreign Minister said neither Bangladesh nor China brought the issue at the discussion table.
The Chinese Foreign Minister arrived here on Saturday on a three-day visit and left on Monday afternoon.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque saw him off at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
He held bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart on Sunday at the Foreign Ministry and reviewed the relations. During his stay, Wang Yi met President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
China wants ‘peaceful solution’ to any problem through discussions as it does not want violence in Bangladesh, said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Monday.
“If any problem emerges, China wants its peaceful solution through discussions,” he told reporters at the Foreign Ministry while briefing them about Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Bangladesh Ambassador to China M Fazlul Karim and Director Generals of the Foreign Ministry were present at the briefing.
Asked whether the Chinese Foreign Minister indicated any particular problem which needs a peaceful solution, Mahmood Ali said, “No, he didn’t mention any problem.”
The Foreign Minister also said peaceful solution means they do not want to see violence and terrorist activities in Bangladesh.
He said, the Chinese Foreign Minister expressed interest to extend cooperation in the areas of power and energy sector. Wang Yi also assured Bangladesh of its support in setting up coal-based power station and exploring oil and gas, Mahmood Ali said.
On installing a tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, he said both the countries agreed on ensuring rapid progress. “We both sides are working so that the work starts soon. And discussion is on about a top-level visit when the work will start formally,” he added.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh wants to work as a bridge between the South Asia and Southeast Asia, and China supports Bangladesh in this regard.
Asked how Bangladesh will be benefited through signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, the Foreign Minister said China is ready to remove all the obstacles so that trade does not decrease in any way instead of rise. The Foreign Minister emphasised boosting Chinese investment in Bangladesh to reduce the trade gap with China primarily.
The Chinese Foreign Minister identified five priority areas of cooperation-trade, industrialization, energy and infrastructure development, said Mahmood Ali.
Bangladesh proposed formation of a joint working group on trade and industry and a bilateral investment forum which was welcomed by the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Asked whether Sonadia deep seaport issue was discussed, the Foreign Minister said neither Bangladesh nor China brought the issue at the discussion table.
The Chinese Foreign Minister arrived here on Saturday on a three-day visit and left on Monday afternoon.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque saw him off at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
He held bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart on Sunday at the Foreign Ministry and reviewed the relations. During his stay, Wang Yi met President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
