China ready to execute Teesta project

China has expressed readiness to implement the long-discussed Teesta River water- management project amid a renewed push in Beijing's engagement with Dhaka following Bangladesh's new parliament election.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh's foreign minister, Yao Wen, China's ambassador in Dhaka, said Sunday that Beijing was prepared to move forward with the Teesta project, though its implementation would depend on the priorities of the new government.

The proposal to manage and develop the Teesta River has been under discussion between the two countries for years, but has yet to materialise. Yao said China remained ready to take part in the project once the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman decided to proceed.

The diplomat reiterated Beijing's support for what he described as Bangladesh's "Bangladesh First" policy and said China was prepared to expand cooperation across all sectors with the current administration.

Asked about the possibility of Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing, he pointed to the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two countries and expressed the hope that Rahman would visit China in the near future.

Yao said he was convinced that China-Bangladesh relations were entering a "more promising phase".

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said that during his call on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual concern.

Yao welcomes what he described as the "smooth and orderly" conduct of Bangladesh's 13th National Parliament elections and congratulated Rahman on assuming office.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.con