China ready to implement Teesta project in collaboration with India: Yao Wen
‘PM’s upcoming Beijing trip will be a milestone’
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China is ready to implement the Teesta River restoration project in collaboration with India if Bangladesh wants, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said on Thursday.
Asked what will be China’s response if Bangladesh decides to implement the project with the assistance of both China and India, the Chinese Ambassador said, “China is open as far as it is conducive to Bangladesh. We are ready, China is open to whatever proposal Bangladesh makes in this regard.”
The Chinese envoy made these observations while interacting with the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in the capital city at a press meet.
The envoy made it clear that Bangladesh has the sovereign right to decide by whom it will implement the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), and China will respect any decision taken by Bangladesh in this regard.
“I know many of you are concerned about it, but what I can tell you is that the Teesta River is on the territory of Bangladesh. So that is your river,” he said adding that it is purely up to Bangladesh to decide how they will implement and China will always respect the decision.
He said that the project needs to start very soon for the benefit of over 30 million people residing on the banks of the Teesta River of Bangladesh.
Responding to a question he said that a ceasefire in Myanmar is a must to start the Rohingya repatriation and China is earnestly working with all the stakeholders of Myanmar to manage a ceasefire.
Addressing the programme the envoy said, as strategic cooperative partners, the China-Bangladesh relationship is at its best of all time and is also embracing tremendous opportunities for development.
He noted that the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China will be another milestone visit in the history of bilateral relations and is of great significance to build on past achievements and forge ahead.
“This visit will surely inject vibrant impetus into the bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and promote new achievements in the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between China and Bangladesh, and elevate the relationship to a new height.”
He said the international situation is intertwined with turbulence and changes, with the global development and security situation being intricate and complex. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century at an all-dimensional and deep-level pace.
“Against the aforementioned background, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to China is highly anticipated by all walks of life. This visit is expected to take the helm for the growth of the China-Bangladesh relationship for the next five years or even longer. The visit will outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate our positions in regional and international affairs,” the envoy said.
Mr Wen also felt that through this visit, the two sides would achieve a breakthrough in pragmatic cooperation, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.
“It has been proved that China is Bangladesh's most reliable partner and most trustworthy friend.”
On Bangladesh's journey toward modernisation, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is highly consistent with the Vision 2041 and the dream of "Golden Bengal," as well as Bangladesh's national conditions. China is Bangladesh's largest trading partner and the second-largest source of foreign investment. China's economic and trade cooperation with Bangladesh comes with no political strings attached nor demands for special privileges.”
“Since Bangladesh joined the BRI, China has built seven railways, 12 highways, 21 bridges, and 31 power plants in Bangladesh, he said adding that Chinese enterprises have brought about more than 550,000 jobs in Bangladesh. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to achieve more practical results in infrastructure, digital economy, clean energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, culture and people-to-people exchanges, thereby assisting Bangladesh in its modernisation process”.
He stated that China supports Bangladesh’s bid to become a partner country of the BRICS and hopes Bangladesh will be a member of the BRICS at an early date.