Staff Reporter :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to pay an official visit to Beijing from July 8 to 11 to have bilateral talks on multifaceted arenas and to cement the diplomatic relations as a development and strategic partner.
“There is a possibility of Prime Minister’s visit to China between July 8 and 11. China plays a significant role in Bangladesh’s development. We hope for substantial progress in this visit. We are looking forward to this trip,”
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud informed the journalists after a meeting with Li Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, at a hotel in the capital on Monday.
Regarding discussions with the Chinese Minister, Hasan Mahmud mentioned, “China is our largest development partner and a major trading partner. We have discussed reducing trade deficits. We import nearly $13 billion from China and export only about $1 billion. We have proposed that they can import pharmaceuticals, leather, and ceramic products from us.”
A delegation of Bangladeshi businessmen will also accompany the Prime Minister on the trip to China, according to Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
Regarding Rohingya issues, the Minister said, “We have sought China’s assistance in resolving the Rohingya problem, especially in their repatriation. We have also discussed the Gaza issue and hope that China will play an active role in this matter.”
“We have sought China’s active role to repatriate 13 lakh Rohingyas to their homeland,” he added.
On the topic of Chinese investment in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister stated, “We have discussed increasing Chinese investment in Bangladesh. The Chinese Minister has shown interest in further investment in our country.”
Regarding China’s support in favour of Bangladesh to join in BRICS, the Foreign Minister said, “We have requested their support in becoming a member or partner country in BRICS, in any form.”
Earlier, on June 22, foreign minister told the journalists that Bangladesh has sought support from India to join BRICS under any format as a member or a partner country. “We’ve sought support from India to join BRICS under any format,” he stated.
Bangladesh has been seeking support of different countries to include itself in the intergovernmental organisation comprising of nine member stated : Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, when asked if there were any discussions on the Teesta project, the Foreign Minister replied, “There was no discussion on the issue today. Discussions were held on development affairs.”
Hasan Mahmud on Sunday also told the journalists that the Teesta issue was discussed with India but China was not in this discussion.
After India’s keenness to finance in Teesta project, Bangladesh government is not talking about the China’s involvement in this context whereas China wanted to complete the project with the finance of one billion dollars.
Informing the journalists that a delegation comprising of senior Awami League leaders will visit China, he said, “Our junior leaders have visited China. Now the senior leaders will visit China later. We have discussed about it.”
On the other hand, Li Jianchao informed Bangladesh that China is ready to provide supports and assistance in various issues to cement the ties between the two nations.
“We welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit China. Besides, China is ready to enhance cooperation in producing goods as well as increase investment and infrastructural development.”
During the meeting Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and senior officials of the ministry of foreign affairs were present.
Recently Yao Wen said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China would be a ‘game-changer’.
Before visiting China, Hasina concluded her India visit and signed ten MoUs including train movement through Bangladesh borders to reach the north-east states of India.