‘China’s support urgent to ease loan burden’

Staff Reporter :

The BNP has sought China’s assistance in extending the repayment period of existing loans and revisiting associated charges, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s economy, said the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday.

At a press conference following the BNP delegation’s recent visit to China, Fakhrul said, “We also discussed ways to improve the investment climate and ensure the security of Chinese investments during our meetings with Chinese leaders.”

He said the delegation urged China to expand its role in Bangladesh’s development, particularly in sectors like digital technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, healthcare, communications, and the blue economy. According to him, Chinese officials responded positively to these proposals.

During a meeting with Li Hongzhong, a member of the Communist Party of China’s Politburo, the BNP reiterated its support for the One China Policy. In response, Li invited BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China and expressed interest in working with Bangladesh’s future elected government.

Fakhrul emphasised that the BNP is seeking Chinese cooperation that both respects the rights of the Bangladeshi people and serves mutual interests.

In addition, the Chinese Communist Party proposed a two-year political memorandum of understanding, which the BNP agreed to.

On Saturday, 28 June, the nine-member BNP delegation returned home after a five-day official visit to China, during which they held formal meetings with senior leaders of the CPC.

The delegation also toured the Museum of the Communist Party of China, the Great Wall, and several development projects—including the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in Beijing, a Smart City and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Xi’an, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and a village in Shaanxi Province.