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China is ready to help Bangladesh in implementing the stalled Teesta River water-management project if the government wants, says the Chinese envoy detailing new plans of cooperation following regime change here.
As Ambassador Yao Wen spoke Tuesday in Dhaka on the Teesta project, northerners-commoners, politicians and civil-society rights campaigners- in their thousands gatherd during last couple of days at 11 points in five northern districts on demand for immediate action to implement the master plan for the river-water management. The Teesta River Protection Movement organised the event.
Signing a readied agreement with neighbouring India on equitable sharing the waters of the river had been stalled at the eleventh hour following centre-state political disagreements over there a decade ago.
The protesters were chanting slogans about their grievances that the Teesta has turned woes for them because of recurrent floods and sevre erosion due to unilateral control of the river flows at upstream with dams.
Addressing a press briefing at the Embassy the Chinese Ambassador said the Teesta project should be implemented as soon as possible for the benefit and welfare of the thousands of people living in and around the riverbank areas.
"But as a sovereign country, it's up to Bangladesh to decide about the implementation of the project," he added.
He also informed that it is Bangladesh which sought Chinese assistance for Teesta Project back in 2021 by sending a proposal.
After evaluating the project, in 2023, China placed report to the Bangladesh government that the project should be revised as there were many unnecessary components.
"But we are yet to get any response from the Bangladesh government since then," he told the reporters at the press meet-first since the Beijing trip of the foreign adviser of the post-uprising interim government.
Responding to a question he said the water resources ministry had an MoU with a Chinese company on cooperation on water-resources issue and it had no link to the Teesta Project.
Mr Wen said China is happy that the interim government has pledged it to continue all the ongoing G-to-G projects with China.
Asked about the trade-facilitation support he said that China promised to provide US$2.0 billion under this segment during the previous regime but the present government has yet to start any negotiation on this.
About the export of Bangladeshi products to China he said China is accelerating the process of importing fresh Bangladeshi mangoes. "The trade is expected to kick off this May."
Also, China plans to import Bangladeshi guavas, jackfruits, and aquatic products.
"We have sent the inspection and quarantine requirements to the relevant Bangladeshi authorities for their response."
About cooperation in infrastructure development he said, "As you may know, the interim government recently approved the modernisation and expansion project of Mongla Port.
"China looks forward to Bangladesh expediting remaining domestic procedures to facilitate the early signing of the commercial contract."
He pointed out that China is the largest investor in Bangladesh since the establishment of the interim government.
"Since last August, at least 13 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh partners, with a total intended investment of around 230 million USD, which fully demonstrates China's confidence in and support for Bangladesh's future development," the diplomat said.
Currently, over 30 companies have signed letters of intent to invest in the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram, with a total investment exceeding 1 billion USD.
China hopes that the interim government will approve the industrial-park project as soon as possible and stands ready to expand cooperation with Bangladesh in emerging fields such as digital economy, green economy, renewable energy, agriculture, AI, and so forth.
China will also encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and thrive in Bangladesh, he said.
About the significance of the visit of Bangladesh foreign adviser Towhid Hossain to China the envoy said the trip sent a "clear political signal of mutual support between China and Bangladesh, and offers an opportunity to consolidate and deepen the mutual trust and friendship" between the two countries.
"China and Bangladesh are good neighbours supporting each other and trusted partners pursuing shared development. Our bilateral relations have endured evolution of the international situation and Bangladesh's domestic changes, always advancing with strong momentum," he said.
"The fact that Mr. Adviser chose China for his first visit after taking office showcases the great importance the interim government and His Excellency has placed on our ties," he added.
China stands ready to continue to help Bangladesh in social and economic development, the envoy conveyed pledge of the economic superpower and geopolitical influencer.
He informed that the mutually-beneficial trade achieved new breakthroughs. The zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent of Bangladeshi taxable products exported to China came into effect on December 1 last year.
During this visit, China further pledged to consider providing Bangladesh with a transitional preferential-treatment period, supporting its smooth graduation from the least-developed country (LDC) status.
In line with the request of Bangladesh, China decides to help in setting up ultra-modern hospitals in Bangladesh and three top-tier hospitals in China's Yunnan Province have been designated to receive Bangladeshi patients specifically, he added.
"Relevant departments from both countries are working to improve medical-service mechanisms, including streamlining visa procedures, clarifying treatment process, and establishing translation teams."
If all the efforts continue smoothly, the first group of Bangladeshi patients could receive treatment in China as early as in March this year, he mentions.
During the visit, the two sides reached important consensus on international and regional issues, including cooperation on multilateral occasions, regional connectivity, and the Rohingya issue, the press was apprised.
Both countries agreed to coordinate positions and enhance collaboration in the UN and other multilateral forums.
"Our bilateral relationship now stands at a historic moment of building upon past achievements and writing new chapters. Mr. Adviser's successful visit has significantly enhanced political mutual trust, strategic communications, and friendly cooperation. It injected new momentum into the next phase of our relations," the envoy said elaborating on Beijing's views.
China values Bangladesh's cooperation proposals in fields such as infrastructure, livelihood projects, and loan assistance, he said.
"We are ready to enhance communications and consultation, strengthen development cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, advance major landmark projects as well as 'small and beautiful' livelihood initiatives, so as to further consolidate traditional cooperation, explore emerging fields, and elevate mutually beneficial cooperation to new levels."
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com