The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said Dhaka and Beijing are "partners in the new Asian age" as his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi left here ending a two-day visit.

During the two-day trip, Yang Jiechi offered assistance to Bangladesh for setting up a nuclear power plant and a 60 million yuan free grant for this year.

Both countries also signed letter of exchange to construct an exhibition centre in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh and China are partners in the new Asian age and the visit of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will further cement this relationship," the foreign adviser said after seeing off Yang at the Zia International Airport as he left for Pakistan.

The Chinese foreign minister in the past two days held bilateral talks with Chowdhury and called on Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed.

"China shown keen interest in "even a bigger role in the development of Bangladesh" including construction for the proposed Rooppur nuclear power plant", the foreign adviser said.

"He (Yang) has said Bangladesh-China peaceful nuclear power cooperation can be built on the China-Pakistan model," Chowdhury said.

During the bilateral talks Dhaka renewed its stance for One- China policy, he added.

"We have talked matters pertaining to Tibet are internal affairs of China. We have agreed to forthcoming Olympics in Beijing will be an occasion of pride for all Asians and must not be politicised."

Chiwdhury said they discussed regional and international politics when "I have explained to him the warmth of our relations with India and Pakistan, and the growing cooperation with all SAARC countries".

"Very importantly we have talked about going ahead with the idea of a tripartite understanding among Bangladesh , Myanmar and China regarding a road linkage, something that I had raised with him earlier at a bilateral meeting in Manila ," he said.

Asked about Chinese view on the caretaker government, the foreign adviser said "Yang Jiechi has lauded it. I have told him we have scheduled elections for December, and he was pleased with the progress of our roadmap leading to the polls".

The Chinese foreign minister has conveyed invitation to Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser, on behalf of the Chinese Prime Minister and to the foreign adviser on his behalf.

"We will need to work out the details," the foreign adviser observed with regard to the schedules of such visits.

On arrival in Bangladesh capital Yang Jiechi yesterday said Dhaka's "firm support" for One China policy and recent Chinese actions in Tibet testifies that Bangladesh is a 'true friend of China'.

Yang expressed his government's willingness to push forward relationship with Bangladesh and see it as an "important actor" in regional and international affairs.

In a brief appearance before the press yesterday Yang also took a shot at the Western media, saying they have not reported that two-thirds of world countries are supporting Chinese actions in Tibet.

"Public opinion was not reflected due to their control over global media," he said.