PM likely to visit China July 8-10

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit China from July 8 to 11 on a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said this on Monday after his meeting with Liu Jianchao, the visiting Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Talking to the reporters after the meeting Mr Liu, ranked as a minister, reiterated China’s commitment to stand by Bangladesh in implementing its development visions.

“We do sign agreements and you know, we promise and we deliver.”

Responding to a question, he said that during the upcoming visit of the prime minister of Bangladesh to China, a lot of agreements will be signed in different areas.

He did not mention the specific number saying that still both sides are working on this.

“We are very much looking forward to the visit by the honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh to China in about two weeks”.

“I'm sure that our governments and government agencies will work out the general plan for the cooperation between our two countries in the time to come”.

Recalling the 50-year-long warm friendship between the two countries, the senior Chinese diplomat and politician said, that China, with strong enthusiasm and interest, is working with Bangladesh in its drive for prosperity.

For example, for the ‘Vision 2041’, and also for your goal of achieving a ‘Smart Bangladesh,’ he added.

China has been working very hard for its modernisation drive so both countries have a lot in common to work on, Mr Liu, also a former spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said.

“So we can work in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, investments, manufacturing, and also trade, of course”.

“So I think that the forthcoming visit by the prime minister is going to be very fruitful. And China remains the friend as a neighbour and a partner for your modernisation drive”.

He said that China will support Bangladesh’s development spree within the framework of President Xi Jinping’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, and it will continue to do that for the common prosperity of Asia and the world.

“And Bangladesh to us is a perfect, friend, and we are firm in our collaboration, so we also touch upon some regional and international issues. We do have very identical views on most of the issues,” he pointed out.

About the interactions of the CPS with the ruling Awami League, he said, “We also stress on the interactions between the political parties in our two countries. Here, the leading party is the AL, and in China, the leading party is the Communist Party of China”.

“We do believe that the government policies originated from party lines. So, we believe that the kinds of interactions between the political parties would be very useful in helping our people to understand better each other, and also helping the governments to formulate policies towards each other,” he explained.

“So, I believe that such interactions are important and this is a process of mutual learning. So we do want to share your experiences and of course, the Communist Party is also ready to share our experiences with you for the common good of our peoples,” he further added.

Asked about the Rohingya issue, he said that China does appreciate the very humanitarianism displayed by the Bangladesh government.

“We know how hard this issue is or how difficult it is,  and, you know, this can become even more difficult in the future,” he said adding that China has and will continue to play a role in pursuing a solution to this problem by working with different parties.

“China has an important contribution to the development of Bangladesh and we hope that this contribution will be further enhanced during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the foreign minister told reporters following the meeting held in the city.

The minister said that their discussion focused on various issues including the ways and means to reduce the huge trade imbalance with China.

“Our import from China is around 13.0 billion US dollars whereas our export to China is less than 1.0 billion dollars, the minister said adding that he urged China to import items like pharmaceuticals, ceramics, leather etc.

The minister also sought China’s support in repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine.

“We have also discussed the Gaza issue and we expect that China will play an active role in resolving this crisis”.

The minister also mentioned that Bangladesh wants to be a member of the BRICS grouping and he sought China’s strong support in this regard.

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