Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to pay her bilateral visit to Beijing any day between July 8 and July 11.
“We expect that the upcoming prime minister's visit to Beijing will significantly advance the development cooperation between Bangladesh and China,” he told reporters after a meeting with the visiting Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Jianchao at a hotel in the city.
“His (Liu) visit (in Dhaka) before our prime minister's visit (to Beijing) is significant ... we are also looking forward to the (prime minister's) visit,” said the foreign minister.
Dr Hasan said issues related to trade and security would be given priority during the prime minister’s visit to China.
During the meeting on Monday, the foreign minister sought China’s cooperation in the inclusion of Bangladesh in the BRICS in either form of membership or partnership.
Mentioning that China is Bangladesh’s largest development and major trade partner, Hasan said, they also discussed reducing the trade gap between Bangladesh and China.
“We discussed the trade deficit. We import about $13 billion from China, whereas our exports are just under $1 billion,” the foreign minister said.
Hasan urged China to import world-standard Bangladesh-made pharmaceuticals, leather, and ceramic products to reduce the trade gap.
The foreign minister said he sought China’s help in mounting pressure on Myanmar to commence repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their land of origin in Rakhine.
He said Liu expressed Beijing’s keen interest in increasing Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
Hasan said the Gaza situation has also come up in the discussion while he said Dhaka expects to see more Chinese role in the Gaza issue.
Replying to a query, the foreign minister said there was no discussion on the Teesta mega plan during the meeting.
Hasan said a delegation of Awami League senior members will visit China soon to increase political party-level cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Eagerly looking forward to PM Hasina’s visit to China: Liu Jianchao
Visiting Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Liu Jianchao on Monday expressed his optimism that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China would be a very fruitful one.
“I think that the forthcoming visit by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to be a very fruitful one,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, reports UNB.
The Chinese leader said they are very much looking forward to the visit by Sheikh Hasina in about two weeks’ time.
The minister is now visiting Bangladesh to discuss issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and China.
He arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day official visit.
“So we do have lots of expectations, and I am sure that our two governments and government agencies will work out a general plan for the cooperation between our two countries in time to come,” said the Chinese minister.
He said they had a very in-depth and comprehensive discussion on bilateral relations, the history of the relationship, and friendship.
“Thus, the friendship was cemented throughout these years, nearly fifty years after ...since our bilateral relation was established in 1975,” Jianchao said.
He said China shares the interest and also the very strong inspiration, enthusiasm in working with Bangladesh in its drive for prosperity, for example the Vision-2041 and also the goal to achieve a Smart Bangladesh.
China and Bangladesh can work in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, investment, manufacturing and also trade, he said.
“China remains a brand as a neighbour and a partner for your modernisation drives. So, we will do it within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he added.
During his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan, the Chinese minister said they also touched upon some regional and international issues.
“We do have very identical views on most of the issues and also stress on the interactions and the context when communicating between the political parties in two countries,” he said.
The Chinese leader said they believe that the government policies very often originate from party lines. “So we believe that the kinds of interactions between the political parties are very useful, it is helping people to understand each other better and also it is helping the governments to formulate reasonable and current policies for each other.”
He said such interactions are important and this is the process of mutual learning.
Asked about likely documents to be signed, he said they expect agreements are going to be in many areas. “We do sign agreements and you know, we promise and we deliver.”
Responding to a question, the Chinese leader said they appreciate the generosity and humanitarian support from the Bangladesh government; and noted that the Rohingya issue is becoming more difficult.
He said China will continue to play a role in pursuing a solution to the problem by working with different parties that are related to the Rohingya issue.
The Chinese minister will meet President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Tuesday.
His trip is seen as part of regular exchanges of high-level visits, but the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China is likely to be discussed, MoFA sources earlier said.
Sheikh Hasina’s expected visit to China early July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China’s commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.
Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh's aspirations for “Vision 2041” and the realisation of a “Smart Bangladesh.”
“It will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter,” Ambassador Yao told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar recently about Hasina’s forthcoming trip.
Recently, Yao said Bangladesh and China should deepen their strategic partnership for cooperation and explore new growth points.
