Beijing positive on Ctg-Kunming road
China yesterday “responded positively” to Bangladesh's proposal for the long-cherished road connectivity from Chittagong to Kunming via Cox's Bazar and Myanmar.
“We have proposed establishing rail and road connectivity between Chittagong and Kunming. This is the first time we have floated the proposal and China responded positively, especially for the road connectivity,” said Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque.
He was talking to journalists after a bilateral meeting between the Bangladesh and Chinese foreign ministers in Dhaka yesterday.
At the meeting, China once again showed an interest in constructing a deep sea port in Sonadia Island. The Bangladesh side in response said it would decide on the matter after reviewing proposals from other countries, said the foreign secretary.
Dhaka proposed a tri-nation meeting, involving Myanmar, on the road link.
Earlier on several occasions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Beijing to build the rail-road links between the two cities, while China repeatedly expressed its interest in financing and building the deep sea port.
The Chittagong- Kunming connectivity was one of the electoral pledges of Awami League in 2008 general elections. Myanmar in 2011 opposed the rail link through its territory forcing China to shelve the rail project.
Yesterday, at a marathon-meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed a series of bilateral issues and economic co-operations.
Apart from the rail-road connectivity and deep sea port, investment in infrastructure and agriculture, military and industrial cooperation, exclusive economic zone in Bangladesh and BICM economic corridor came up in their talks.
Meeting sources said China asked Bangladesh to expedite building of special economic zone.
The foreign secretary, however, told the press that China expressed “satisfaction” with the overall progress of the economic zone's work. The visiting delegation hoped that a “solid” output would come next year when both sides would celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations.
He also said both sides agreed to strengthen friendly relations and economic cooperation between the countries.
China proposed starting negotiations for the free-trade agreement (FTA) to narrow down the trade imbalance with Bangladesh. The two-way trade crossed $10 billion mark and it is now heavily in favour of China, he added.
The visiting team appreciated Dhaka's leadership role in discussions on Bangladesh-China India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, which would play complementary role in China's dream projects -- economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Both sides also discussed holding foreign office consultations and Dhaka has proposed to hold the first meeting next year in Dhaka.
The visiting foreign minister expressed “satisfaction” with the socio-economic advancement of Bangladesh and termed it a “role model” for many developing countries.
Beijing also wants to be a partner in efforts to build a “Digital Bangladesh”, the foreign secretary said.
Wang Yi arrived in Dhaka on Saturday in his maiden visit for three days, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Beijing visit in June and ahead of 40-year diplomatic ties celebration next year.
Dhaka yesterday invited the president of China to visit during the celebration and the Chinese side said they would convey the invitation to the president, sources added.
The two foreign ministers are likely to brief the media today about the outcome of the meeting.
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