Speech by the Hon'ble Adviser for Foreign Affairs at the Dinner in honour of Mr. Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister of China. State Guest House - Padma, Thursday - 24 April 2008

Your Excellency, Foreign Minister Mr. Yang Jiechi
Members of the Visiting Delegation,
My Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good evening to you all -

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to once again warmly welcome my good friend, Your Excellency Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and members of your entourage. We just ended a round of very fruitful discussions. These will help generate new dynamism into our bilateral relations. I am grateful to Your Excellency for undertaking this visit to Bangladesh despite your extremely busy schedule. Your visit, Excellency, is a clear testimony to the excellent relations existing between our two countries.

Excellency,

China is a time tested and all weather friend of Bangladesh. Our bilateral relations have been characterized by the principles of peaceful co-existence, spirit of good neighbourliness and mutual trust and confidence. China has been a reliable partner for our development efforts, while Bangladesh has remained consistent and unequivocal in her support to China on her core interest issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights. Our endeavours are not only to strengthen these bonds, but also to create new ones, not only to consolidate our bilateral relations but also to expand them in the days to come.

Our engagements with China, within the framework of the "Comprehensive Partnership of Co-operation", are increasingly multi-faceted. We have developed close and mutually beneficial co-operation in diverse sectors including agriculture, power generation, telecommunication, mining, oil and gas exploration, renewable energy, fertilizer production, defence procurement and training, public security, education, tourism and so forth. Our two countries are also sharing experiences in poverty alleviation, especially in the field of micro-finance.

The six friendship bridges and the Bangladesh-China Friendship Convention Centre are lasting witnesses to China's constant support to our economic construction. Following the discussions this afternoon, our two sides also signed a "Letter of Exchange" regarding implantation of the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre project. We are also grateful for the generous assistance offered by China for the victims of the floods and the cyclone 'Sidr' last year.

Excellency,

The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China reached US$ 3.2 billion in 2007. China is presently the largest source of all our imports. The huge imbalance in trade is a matter of some concern. However, we are heartened by repeated assurances and specific measures taken by China to address this. Among these measures are duty free access for selected Bangladeshi products in Chinese market as well as sending of regular purchase missions.

The air connectivity, via Kunming, between our two capitals, has brought our peoples closer than any time before. We should increase our joint efforts to establish connectivity over land from Kunming to Chittagong through Myanmar to accelerate our trade and tourism links and to increase people to people contact.

Excellency,

The present Caretaker Government in Bangladesh is relentlessly working towards consolidating the democratic process, curbing corruption, empowering people at the grassroots and ensuring better standard of living for our people. The Government is committed to holding free, fair and impartial general elections by the end of this year. In this context, we deeply appreciate China's understanding of and moral support to our endeavours.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bangladesh adheres consistently to a "one-China policy". We stand solidly with China in her recent difficulties involving Tibet and consider all matters pertaining to Tibet as absolutely China's internal affairs. We are confident that the Beijing Olympic 2008 would be a great success.

Bangladesh and China share similar views on major regional and international issues. Both our countries are striving to protect and promote the rights and interests of the developing countries, increase regional cooperation and strengthen global peace and stability. We have an impressive record of mutual support and cooperation in international fora including the United Nations. Both Bangladesh and China are among the top contributors to the UN peace Missions.

Excellency,

I hope to continue to work closely with you to follow up on our discussions, today, to further intensify and expand the friendly cooperation between our two countries. We also look forward to sustaining the momentum of top-level contacts, which would underpin our efforts. Your visit this time is short. I hope, Excellency, you will come again to Bangladesh soon, next time with your wife.

May I now request everyone present here to join me in a toast:

- to the everlasting friendship between Bangladesh and China;
- to continued peace and progress of our two peoples;
- And wish His Excellency Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi long life, good health and ever more successes and achievements

I thank you all -