China waits for proposal from Bangladesh
China will contribute to projects related to greater connectivity, and is waiting for a concrete proposal from Bangladesh for building a deep-sea port in Chittagong.
“Bangladesh's location in between South Asia and Southeast Asia is highly important, especially important for the land locked countries like Nepal and Bhutan,” Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Zhang Xianyi said yesterday.
Speaking at a press briefing at the embassy ahead of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's official visit to Bangladesh on June 14-15, he said China will contribute to building the deep-sea port as it will connect many countries in this region.
The ambassador said China also has a positive attitude to connectivity, and promoting projects relating to roadway and railway links between the two countries to boost trade and economic cooperation.
Bangladesh sought Chinese assistance to build the deep seaport and direct road link with China during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Beijing on March 17-21.
Asked about Chittagong-Kunming highway through Myanmar, the Chinese envoy said all the three countries are very positive about building the tri-nation highway. “All the three players will have to come together…It needs time to coordinate the efforts,” he added.
On the scheduled visit of the vice president, one of the top decision makers of the Chinese government, the ambassador said it is “very important” as it takes place on the occasion of 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Dhaka and Beijing.
During his two-day visit, Xi Jinping will have official talks with Sheikh Hasina, meet President Zillur Rahman, Speaker Abdul Hamid and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.
The Chinese vice president will lead a high-profile delegation. The 35-member team will include Shen Yueyue, vice minister, Organisation Department, CPC Central Committee; Chen Yuan, chairman, China Development Bank; Zhang Zhijun, vice minister, foreign ministry; Liu Tienan, National Development and Reform Commission; Chen Jian, vice minister, commerce ministry, and Shi Zhihong, deputy director, Policy Research Office.
The ambassador said bilateral trade and economic cooperation will be high on Xi Jinpeng's agenda alongside further strengthening the existing friendly relations. Some agreements will be signed during the visit when China may offer some grants for Bangladesh, he said. “The offer may be small but it is a gesture of our good friendship.”
Replying to a question, Zhang said China will offer 1.6 billion yuan for Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory. Besides, a deal on establishment of 2.5 3G telecom project may be signed.
Bangladesh sought US$ 211 million from China for establishment of the telecom project, but the Chinese government is yet to finalise how much fund it will provide for the project.
The two-way trade between the two countries amounted to $ 4.58 billion last year with Bangladesh's import bill totalling $ 4.4 billion. “We want to import more from Bangladesh” to reduce the trade imbalance, said Zhang.
In this context, the evoy said China offered zero tariff for 4,721 Bangladeshi products including RMG, which is 60 percent of Bangladeshi exportable goods.
Asked about military hardware purchase from China, he said defence cooperation between the two sides is excellent. He however did not say precisely about any purchase deal. “It's a normal trade…We don't have major contract in last few years,” he said.
Chief of Political Section at the Chinese embassy Zhang Lei and other officials were also present at the press briefing.
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