Eyes on 5 priority areas

China has identified commerce, agriculture, industrial development, energy, and infrastructure development sectors of Bangladesh for its high priority investment and support.

It also promised to stand by Bangladesh during its “emergency needs”.

It assured Bangladesh of assisting in the construction of the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar broad-gauge rail lines, setting up of a coal-based power plant and a rice research centre, and exploration of oil and natural gas.  

The assurances came during the three-day visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang left Dhaka for Beijing yesterday.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali briefed the media at the conference room of the foreign ministry yesterday about the outcome of Wang's visit.  

He said China assured Bangladesh of handing over a high-yield rice variety and its technology so that Bangladesh could grow more rice and be self-reliant on food.  

It also wants to assist in defence, and information and communications technology sector, and maritime affairs.

China also proposed signing a free-trade agreement (FTA) and emphasised importing jute and jute-goods from Bangladesh, Ali said.

He said Bangladesh would look into the proposal for the free-trade agreement.

Regarding China's assurance of standing by Bangladesh during its emergency needs, the foreign minister said Wang wanted to mean that China would always remain a “partner in economic cooperation” with Bangladesh.  

He said, “Fruitful discussions have taken place with the Chinese foreign minister regarding setting up a specialised economic trade zone for China in Bangladesh as per an MoU signed between the two countries.”

Renewing China's commitment to provide assistance in infrastructure development of the country, the Chinese minister has also expressed interest in moving a part of the goods production capacity surplus of China into Bangladesh, Ali said.

He said Bangladesh agreed with China to quickly construct the proposed tunnel under the Karnaphuli river.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Bangladesh next year, marking the 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, sources at the foreign ministry said.

During Xi's likely visit, the foundation stone of the tunnel could be laid. Bangladesh has already signed an MoU with China for the $1.2 billion project.      

China also assured Bangladesh of membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Ali said.

The minister said Bangladesh urged China to invest more to reduce the trade imbalance, which is about $7 billion.

China also responded positively to Bangladesh's proposal for a road from Chittagong to Kunming via Cox's Bazar and Myanmar, he said.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh wants to strengthen relations with Myanmar since the proposed road would go through its territory. Replying to a query, he said India has no reservations regarding the road. 

“We have also urged China to form a joint working group and bilateral investment forum related to industries and commerce. Chinese foreign minister welcomed it,” Mahmood Ali said.

About Chinese interest in the construction of the deep-seaport in Sonadia, the foreign minister claimed that no discussion took place over the issue during Wang's visit.

Replying to another query, the foreign minister claimed that Wang did not ask for any political consensus between the Awami League and the BNP during his meeting with BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

“He [Wang] spoke about peaceful solution to any problem through dialogue and by 'peaceful' he meant non-violent ways,” he claimed.

During his visit, Wang also met President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad.