Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, now on a three-day official visit to China, asked for the technical support during a meeting with State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing. Tang is one of the nine members of the State Council, the highest policy-making body of the Chinese government.

Dhaka and Beijing signed an agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Dhaka in April last year.

During the meeting, Morshed also requested for specific Chinese assistance in infrastructure development and power generation in Bangladesh, Director General of External Publicity (DGEP) Zahirul Huq told the news agency quoting Bangladesh mission officials in Beijing.

The two leaders expressed deep satisfaction at the close and friendly relations existing between Bangladesh and China. They stressed the need for strengthening the relations through continued dialogue and cooperation.

The foreign minister, who will hold official talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing today, said he will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identify possible ways of further accelerating cooperation in different sectors.

Tang praised Bangladesh government for attaining socioeconomic development, combating terrorism and corruption, alleviating poverty and enhancing food production.

He assured that China would continue to remain a "reliable partner" in Bangladesh's national development efforts.

Tang said the Chinese government would like to reduce trade imbalance between the two countries. He appreciated Bangladesh's support to " One China" policy and briefed Morshed Khan about steps being taken by the Chinese government towards reunification with Taiwan.

He also thanked Bangladesh as the current Saarc chair for facilitating China's entry into the forum as observer.

The two leaders exchanged views on a number of multilateral and international issues. They reaffirmed the need for maintaining close cooperation with each other on issues of mutual interest, including UN reforms.