China, Bangladesh To Work Together For Economic Prosperity

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gave the assurance in the bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Great Hall of the People here this afternoon.

After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haq said the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and the entire gamut of bilateral issues came up for discussion.

Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh would always remain as a friend of China in the next China-led "Asian Century". She said regional connectivity has emerged as a very crucial factor for development of the region.

The Chinese Premier laid importance on rapid execution of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) and sought Bangladesh's allout support for its implementation.

He appreciated Bangladesh's leading role that the country played in this regard.

Sheikh Hasina assured Li Keqiang of extending all cooperation for implementing the BCIM-EC.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister sought more Chinese investment in Bangladesh and requested Li Keqiang to help import gas from the gas fields of the Chinese companies in Myanmar.

"The gas can be used by Bangladesh and relocated Chinese companies as well," she said.

As Sheikh Hasina requested for increasing the number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students along with their allowances, the Chinese Premier agreed for that.

She also requested Li to formulate a framework for streamlining the scholarship at official level.

Shahidul Haq said defense cooperation between the two countries also came up for the discussion and both sides expressed satisfaction over the issue, particularly on cooperation on peacekeeping and peace-building, between the two countries.

Sheikh Hasina sought Chinese help for study and research on oceanography as China remains in a advancing position in this field.

At the same time, the Bangladesh Prime Minister put emphasis on cooperation on agriculture and sharing the technology of producing hybrid rice and genetic resources.

Responding to a request by Sheikh Hasina, the Chinese Premier proposed for conducting a joint research on agriculture, saying they are ready to share agricultural technology with Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister thanked China for extending support to Bangladesh for electing in the UN Human Rights Commission and CEDAW.

She invited the Chinese Premier to visit Bangladesh. In response, Li Keqiang accepted the invitation and said he is looking forward to visiting Bangladesh at the earliest.

The Bangladesh delegation was comprised of Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's Advisors HT Imam and Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and concerned secretaries.

The Chinese team included commerce minister and senior officials of the Chinese government.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)