The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei, who is attending the current SAARC Summit as an observer, met Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury in his hotel suite Saturday evening in Colombo.

Mr. Dawei told the foreign adviser that China considered Bangladesh as a strategic friend in SAARC and sought Bangladesh's help in order to be able to play a greater role in SAARC, according to a message received here on Sunday.

Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said that Bangladesh warmly welcomed China in the SAARC framework and would be very pleased to support a greater China role in the regional organisation as Bangladesh considers China "a true all-weather friend."

Mentioning Bangladesh's development efforts Wu Dawei termed the recent agricultural production, particularly cereal production in Bangladesh, as the world's "eighth wonder". He said the Chinese people admired Bangladesh's success in it and other development sectors.

They also discussed a possible visit by the Chief Adviser to China in future.