The two Asian countries emphasised reinforcing the close relations they have had for long and agreed to join hands for their own progress, in their fight against poverty, for regional peace and co-operation, and on common issues in the international arena.

During the summit between the two premiers, China pledged all-out assistance to Bangladesh's development endeavours, particularly in social, economic, agricultural, education, science and technology, telecoms, extraction of coal, public security and energy fields.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao led their respective sides in the official talks held at the Prime Minister's Office in the city yesterday afternoon. Before that, the two heads of government had a 20-minute tête-à-tête.

Nine accords -- five agreements, two memoranda of understanding (MoU), a contract and an exchange of letters -- were signed after the summit.

THE SUMMIT
The talks were held in an uncommonly cordial atmosphere in a free and frank manner, said Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin briefing the press.

He termed the meeting "completely fruitful, very positive, constructive and highly significant" and said, "Both the sides are extremely happy."

The visit of the Chinese premier takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties, the foreign secretary pointed out.

At the talks, he said, the Chinese premier declared Bangladesh as the approved destination of Chinese tourists in 2005 and said his country will chalk out elaborate programmes to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the meet highly praised the economic progress China has achieved in the recent years and said Jiabao's visit will definitely promote bilateral trade and relations.

She said Bangladesh considers the visit as very significant and asked China to be a major development partner of Bangladesh.

In response, Jiabao lauded the progress Bangladesh has made, especially in establishing democracy, poverty alleviation and improving law and order. He also praised Dhaka's socio-economic development endeavours and its active foreign policy.

Recalling his earlier visit to Bangladesh as a party leader 11 years ago, Jiabao said he is highly impressed by the present-day Bangladesh.

The Chinese PM expressed the hope that Dhaka would continue maintaining one-China policy and extending support to Beijing on international issues.

Hemayetuddin said the Chinese premier readily assented to constructing the di- aluminium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser factory in Chittagong entirely on concessional lending instead of supplier's credit.

The immediate past Awami League government signed an MoU with China to set up the DAP plant with 50 percent investment in supplier's credit and the rest in concessional loan.

The foreign secretary said the Chinese side also showed very positive attitude towards the requests of Khaleda on reducing trade gap and duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods to China.

He said the Chinese premier promised to look into the matters very positively. Jiabao also asked the Bangladeshi premier to send official and business delegations to China to resolve the issues.

Jiabao also assured the Bangladeshi side to extend all possible co-operations for the benefits of Bangladesh and its people and offered greater number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students to study in China. He also proposed the vice chancellors of Bangladeshi universities to visit Chinese educational institutions regularly.

THE ACCORDS
Elaborating the accords inked yesterday, the foreign secretary said Bangladesh would receive six million US dollars for capacity building of civil servants.

About an agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy, Hemayetuddin said this is absolutely for peaceful usage in the fields of medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. "There is nothing military or related to weapons in this agreement."

Under an agreement on public security, the foreign secretary said, China will help in capacity building of Bangladeshi law enforcement including providing training on criminal investigation techniques and technology, forensic tests etc.

He said the two sides discussed an entire range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

RECEPTION AT ZIA
Earlier, the Chinese premier was given a rousing reception at Zia International Airport (ZIA) when he arrived here on a two-day official visit.

A 19-gun salute boomed in the air and red carpets rolled out at the tarmac, as a special plane carrying Jiabao and his entourage landed at 2:25pm. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was first to greet the Chinese premier at the colourfully decorated tarmac.

Jiabao was awarded a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three armed services. He took salute and inspected the guard. Senior cabinet ministers, chiefs of staff of the armed services, diplomats and senior government officials were present at the airport.

UNB adds: Wen Jiabao yesterday hoped his current visit would further consolidate traditional friendship and promote new progress in Sino-Bangladesh relations.

"My current visit is aimed at enhancing friendship and deepening co-operation," he said in an arrival statement at ZIA at the outset of his visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Khaleda Zia.

The Chinese premier said, "I have arrived in Bangladesh on an official visit, bringing with me the Chinese people's friendly sentiments for the Bangladeshi people," and added, "I look forward to having in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest."

Jiabao said China and Bangladesh are neighbours basking in close friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, he said, concerted efforts of the two governments and peoples, friendly relations and co-operation have kept growing.

"China-Bangladesh friendship accords with the common aspirations and fundamental interests of our countries and peoples, and contributes to maintaining regional peace, stability and development," he noted.