Statement
by the Hon'ble Foreign Minister on the official visit
to China from 17-19 August 2005 by Her Excellency
Begum Khaleda Zia, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Introduction
Assamualaikum.
It gives me great pleasure to share with you our assessment
on the just concluded official visit by the Hon'ble
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to China at the invitation
of the Premier Mr. Wen Jiabao. The visit in short
was highly successful. It not only cemented the already
existing strong and friendly cooperation between the
two countries, but also added new dimensions and set
directions for the future. The talks were frank, cordial
and positive. Both sides, who were trusted friends
and respected each other, were committed to take the
existing relations to newer heights.
The visit, a return visit to that of Premier Wen Jiabao,
also marked the culmination of the 30th anniversary
celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Bangladesh and China. The programme was originally
scheduled to continue upto 21st August 2005. Because
of the situation following bomb blasts all over the
country, the Hon'ble Prime Minister decided to return
on the 19th August evening.
Programme:
However, within that time she had completed all her
bilateral official engagements. The following were
the highlights of the visit:
The Hon'ble Prime Minister called on H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao,
President of the People's Republic of China. She also
held meeting with H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of
the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
HE
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia held official talks
with Premier Wen Jiabao, where the two leaders held
in?depth discussions on all aspect Bangladesh?China
relations, and exchanged views on regional and international
issues.
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia attended a reception
organized by the Chinese People's Association for
Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate 30
years of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Bangladesh and China. She also met with business
leaders of China and addressed an investment seminar
organized by the China Council for Promotion of International
Trade (CCPIT).
Agreements
signed
After the official talks 4 (four) MOUs and an Exchange
of Letter were signed between the two countries on:
(i)
Cooperation in the field of Water Resources,
(ii) Twinning of Chittagong city with Kunming,
(iii) Cooperation in the field of tourism (grant of
Approved Destination Status to Bangladesh)
(iv) Co-operation in the field of natural gas
(v) Constructions of a friendship exhibition centre
in Dhaka,
Besides, a MOU between the BTMA of Bangladesh and
a Chinese Chamber of Commerce was signed in presence
of the two Prime Ministers. An MOU was also signed
between the BGMEA and a private company after the
business seminar.
Official
talks
During the official talks both sides reviewed the
entire gamut of bilateral relations and progress made
since the establishment of diplomatic relations three
decades ago. They took note with deep satisfaction
that the close ties of cooperation existing between
the two countries based on respect for each other's
sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal
affairs have further strengthened. They reiterated
their mutual commitment to further consolidate the
strong bonds of friendship and trust through greater
cooperation in economic, social, political, cultural
and other fields, for the welfare and development
of the people of the two countries. They also noted
that the comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation
provided the framework for a relationship aimed at
the peace and stability and development of the two
countries.
Issues
Bilateral Trade
Bangladesh
Side :Bangladesh expressed satisfaction at the
expansion of bilateral trade. Pointed out that trade
balance was heavily tilted against Bangladesh and
strongly urged China to take active measures to rescue
the existing trade deficit between the two countries
Chinese
Side: China recognized the imbalance in trade
with Bangladesh. The Chinese Premier agreed to give
further duty free facilities to Bangladesh products
and said that a Government purchase mission would
soon visit Bangladesh. China wanted development of
strategic trade ties with Bangladesh
Investment / EPZ / Natural Gas
Bangladesh
Side :The Hon'ble Prime Minister invited investments
from China and told the Chinese Premier that Bangladesh
would help designate an exclusive export promotion
zone for Chinese investors in Bangladesh.
Chinese
Side:Chinese Premier agreed to actively encourage
and support Chinese enterprises to expand investment
in Bangladesh. He expressed particular interests in
textiles and natural gas.
Air
link
The
two prime Ministers took note with satisfaction the
successful introduction of direct air link between
Dhaka andBeijing (via Kunming), which is actively
contributing to the promotion of trade, tourism and
greater people?to?people contact.
Tourism Cooperation
Both
sides welcomed the conclusion of the MOU for granting
Bangladesh "Approved Destination Status"
which will provide a framework for promotion of tourism.
Cooperation
in Agriculture
Both
side also agreed to take measures for the full and
effective implementation of the agreement signed on
agricultural cooperation and strengthen cooperation
in technical exchange and capacity building programmes;
Science
and ICT, Technical Co-operation
Both
sides agreed to continue to encourage and support
cooperation in the fields of science and technology;
ICT; education; sports; and public health, through
greater exchange programmes and technical cooperation
in these areas.
Youth
and Culture
The
Chinese Premier informed that a delegation of All
China Youth Federation would like to visit Bangladesh.
He also invited Bangladesh to participate at the Asia
Cultural Festival to be held in China in November
2005.
Pagla Water Treatment and North Dhaka Sewage
Bangladesh
Side :Bangladesh noted the Chinese offer and requested
for concessional loan acceptable under the public
procurement policy and other constraints.
Chinese
Side:The Chinese offered US dollar 300 million
for the implementation of Pagla Water Treatment Plant
and North Dhaka Sewage Treatment Plant and Associated
Sewerage System.
Digital Telephone Exchanges
Bangladesh
Side :Bangladesh made similar request as in the
case of Water treatment and Sewage projects
Chinese
Side:The Chinese Premier mentioned about $ 400
m. Chinese offer of concessional loan for the project
and expressed his hope that both sides will continue
discussion on this.
Armed
Forces
The
two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between
the armed forces of the two countries, including through
exchange of visits, training, enhanced technical cooperation
and capacity building programmes.
Public
Security
State
Minister for Home Affairs has been invited to visit
China in October 2005 to discuss about training and
scientific equipment for the police department.
Cooperation
on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Bangladesh
Side :Bangladesh also sought Chinese help for
building the proposed Roop pur nuclear power plant.
Chinese
Side:Chinese Premier proposed cooperation in radiation
technology, medical use and agriculture.
Space
Co-operation
The
Chinese Premier invited Bangladesh to join the Asia
Pacific Space Cooperation Organization for the peaceful
use of the space.
Taiwan
Issue
Bangladesh
Side :Bangladesh reiterated its steadfast support
for the "One?China Policy", and that Taiwan
was an integral part of the Chinese territory.
Chinese
Side:The Chinese Premier expressed gratitude to
Bangladesh for consistent support on the issues of
Taiwan and human rights.
Reiteration
of Chinese Support
China
reiterated respect for the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Bangladesh and reaffirmed
its support for Bangladesh's national development
efforts.
Regional
and international issues:
Regional and international
peace and Stability
Both
sides reaffirmed their commitment to further continue
their efforts and cooperation for the establishment
and promotion of regional and international peace
and Stability and development.
SAARC
Chinese
Premier appreciated Bangladesh's constructive and
peaceful foreign policy and active efforts being taken
by Bangladesh to promote regional cooperation in South
Asia. China wished the upcoming 13th SAARC Summit
to be hosted by Bangladesh in November every success.
South
Asia
The
Chinese Premier also expressed satisfaction that in
recent time South Asia had become politically stable
and economically dynamic. China wanted peace and stability
in South Asia.
ARF
Bangladesh
expressed deep appreciation for China's support leading
to Bangladesh's entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF) as its 26th member during the recent ARF meeting
in Vientiane.
Cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral
and regional fora
Both
sides pledged to further enhance cooperation and coordination
in the United Nations and other multilateral and regional
fora and to remain actively engaged in promoting,
peace, stability and development in the region
UN
Reform
Bangladesh Side :Bangladesh expressed her support
for the reform of the United Nations and reaffirmed
her commitment to work closely to ensure that the
interests of the developing countries were safeguarded
in the outcomes of the reform process.
Chinese
Side:The Chinese Premier said they were not in
favour of a hurried voting on the expansion of the
UN Security Council.
A
Successful Visit
Both
sides agreed furthur the visit of Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia was a great success and added strength
to the already existing strong bonds of friendship
and co-operation between Bangladesh and China. Hon'ble
Prime Minster extended invitation to President Hu
Jintao to visit Bangladesh. She also invited Premier
Wen Jiabao to visit Bangladesh again. The Chinese
side accepted for the invitations for visit to Bangladesh
at mutually convenient time.
Conclusion
The trust and friendship Bangladesh and China have
enjoyed over the years have been renewed and reaffirmed
through regular exchange of high level visits. In
continuation with the tradition the visit of the Hon'ble
Prime Minister to China not only reiterated the close
ties between the two countries but also given a timely
boost to the existing multifaceted bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, a number of documents such as MOUs
and Exchange of Letters on cooperation between China
and Bangladesh in different fields have been signed
to add new dimensions and content to our close bilateral
cooperation.
The visit as expected resulted in closer political
understanding and would enhance economic cooperation,
increased trade, more frequent cultural interaction
and people-to people contact. This also gave the two
leaders an opportunity to exchange views on international
issues of common concern.
The visit, in the wake of the successful visit of
Hon'ble Prime Minster to Japan has sent a message
to the international community that Bangladesh is
a responsible and respectable member of the world
comity of nations and major countries in the world,
too, recognize that.
