Diplomatic Correspondent

Praising Bangladesh’s good track record in loan repayment, China on Tuesday "agreed in principle" to extend the loan repayment period and assured to look into the request of the interest rate reduction.

Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid, during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, requested China to reduce interest rate from 2-3% to 1%, waive commitment fee and extend loan repayment period from 20 years to 30 years for both the Preferential Buyer’s Credit (PBC) loan and Government Concessional Loan (GCL).

The Chinese Foreign Minister also assured to continue DFQF access of Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market for 3 years after the LDC graduation.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and China signed the ‘Implementation Plan" of the MoU in exchange of "Hydrological Information" sharing of the Yaluzangbu-Jamuna River.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China places Bangladesh at a very important position in her neighborhood diplomacy and praised the existing warm relations between the two nations.

Bangladesh and China reaffirmed their commitment to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ during bilateral talks held at the Diaoyuitai State Guest House in Beijing.

Yi said the people of Bangladesh have given important responsibility to Prof Yunus who has dedicated himself in maintaining civility and unity of the country, and his government has done many tangible good things for Bangladesh.

He recalled his fruitful meeting with Prof Yunus on the sidelines of the last UNGA.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed that China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bangladesh and reiterated continued Chinese support for the stability, reforms, democratic transition and development initiatives of Bangladesh.

He also mentioned that China wants to see Bangladesh’s economic development in pace with their own development. ‘China would continue supporting projects conducive to the livelihood of the people of Bangladesh’–the Foreign Minister stated.

Adviser Hossain is paying an official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Water Resources and the Economic Relations Division are accompanying the Foreign Adviser.

This is his first bilateral visit abroad after assuming charge.

This visit also coincides with the celebration of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations.

Adviser Hossain was warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi before the bilateral talks.

The talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere covering a wide range of topics including development cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure development, sectoral cooperation, and people to people exchanges.

Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening collaboration in areas of mutual interest and leveraging opportunities for shared prosperity.

Adviser Hossain emphasised that his first bilateral visit to China reflects Bangladesh’s strong intent to engage with China in a robust partnership to give the relationship a new momentum.

Adviser Hossain reiterated Bangladesh’s firm commitment to ‘One China Principle’ and unwavering support for UNGA Resolution 2758.

He mentioned that the July-August 2024 movement in Bangladesh gave an opportunity to rebuild our nation on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, corruption free system and equal access to resources for all.

Upon Bangladesh’s request, Foreign Minister Yi conveyed China’s decision to especially designate 3 to 4 recognised hospitals in Kunming for treatment of Bangladeshi patients.

He also welcomed Bangladesh’s proposal of establishing a specialised tertiary level Chinese hospital in Dhaka as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.