UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh and China have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation on economic, technical, trade and investment, development of infrastructures and power as well as on regional connectivity and climate change.
Dhaka and Beijing also agreed to further expand closer comprehensive partnership in regional and international matters reaffirming their support to each other based on principles of peace, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual trust and respect.
These were disclosed in a joint statement released on Wednesday in Beijing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh signed between the two governments during the six-day official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed six instruments, including two agreements, two MoUs and two letters of exchanges.
The 20-point statement said both the premiers during their official talks discussed a wide range of issues on mutual interests, including Bangladesh-China relations as well as on national and international matters.
The two sides also agreed to sustain the momentum of high-level interactions and engagements between Dhaka and Beijing as well as to intensify dialogue inter alia between governmental authorities, parliaments, political parties, armed forces and non-governmental platforms, it said.
Both Bangladesh and China recalled the traditional friendship and long-lasting relations and engagements reaffirming by Bangladesh’s stance on ‘One China Policy’ and by China expressing its support to the efforts of Dhaka in upholding national and regional peace, stability and progress.
Stressing the need for closer comprehensive partnership on economic cooperation, it said, both sides agreed to intensify cooperation on trade, investment, finance, agriculture, science and technology innovation, transportation and infrastructure development.
Besides, they agreed to take further concrete measures to increase bilateral trade, widen economic cooperation and augment investment flow to reducing the widening bilateral trade imbalance.
In this regard, the Chinese side proposed involvement of leading Chinese enterprises in the development of communications, energy, transportation, infrastructure and industry in Bangladesh.
The statement said both sides further agreed that Chinese financial institutions will cooperate in some mega projects as proposed by
Bangladesh like Rajshahi Wasa surface water treatment plant project, construction of the second railway and road bridge across the Karnaphuli River at Kalurghat point in Chittagong and construction of new single track dual gauge railway line from Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Ghundhum near Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
The Bangladesh side underlined the need for development of supply chain and related services and industries in Bangladesh and comprehensive development of manufacturing and services sectors.
In this regard, Dhaka welcomed the signing of the MoU on Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Bangladesh and assured of necessary support to facilitate the process, it added.
The statement also noted that the two countries agreed to continue with strengthening communication and coordination in regional cooperation and Beijing appreciated Bangladesh’s constructive role and initiatives in deepening regional peace, stability and progress in South Asia.
Underscoring the need for regional connectivity, the two sides agreed that BICM Economic Corridor should attain peace, stability, equitable sustainable development of the region through unlocking its potential for comprehensive development.
Besides, Bangladesh and China are also of the same opinion to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh to address the challenges related to climate change and disaster risk reduction.
The two sides also consented to jointly commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China in 2015 in a befitting manner.
