The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Beijing

China will provide special preferential treatment for access of some Bangladeshi products to its market to reduce the prevailing trade imbalance between the two countries and cooperate in paving the way for implementation of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant undertaken for peaceful purpose.

Beijing will also consider Dhaka's request for engaging China in the Bangladesh-Myanmar Road Link scheme meant for enhancing trade and people-to-people contact.

The hosts at a summit meet here yesterday also assured cooperation in constructing envisaged Meghna and Gomti bridges in Bangladesh, after constructing six friendship bridges in Bangladesh. Besides, they will provide technological support in developing hybrid seeds.

China's assurances came during official talks between Bangladesh and China at the Great Hall of the People at 10am Tuesday, where Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Bangladesh side while Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao headed the host country.

Three cooperation deals were struck capping the talks.

The top leaders of the present-day economic superpower-its President, Premier and Vice-President-remarked that the Bangladesh-China friendship is "an all-weather friendship" that remains alive overcoming various issues. The Chinese rulers assured all-out cooperation to Bangladesh in accelerating its socioeconomic development.

They commented that the visit of the Chief Adviser to China would remain as a "milestone" in the friendship between Bangladesh and China.

It was hoped at the official talks that a targeted 5 billion-dollar trade volume between the two countries would attained by 2010--and both the sides opined that the figure would further increase.

It was a hectic and fruitful day for the head of the caretaker government of Bangladesh as he held official talks, met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice-president Xi Jinping.

As Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed requested China's involvement in Bangladesh-Myanmar road communications to connect Kunming of China in the trans-border road linkage and sought Chinese government's cooperation in constructing a 111-kilometer stretch of the road as some parts of the road have been constructed by Bangladesh.

The meeting emphasized tripartite meeting among Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.

Responding positively about Bangladesh's request, the Chinese side said they would talk to Myanmar. Similarly, Bangladesh side said they would also carry it forward with Myanmar.

The talks lasted about an hour, covering politics, trade and economic cooperation and investment as well as agricultural cooperation.

After the talks, one agreement and two memoranda of understanding (MOU) were signed. The accords are: Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, MOU on Hydrological Information on Brahmaputra river and another MOU on Agricultural Technical Cooperation.

On behalf of Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary M Touhid Hossain and Bangladesh Ambassador in Beijing Munshi Faiz Ahmed signed the deals. On the Chinese side, two vice-Ministers and head of Agriculture Academy signed the deals. Chief Adviser Fakhruddin and the Chinese Premier witnessed the signing ceremony at the Great Hall.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossian, CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, Bangladesh Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmed and Secretary of CA's Office Kazi Aminul Islam from Bangladesh side while Chinese Foreign Minister, Vice-Minister of Commerce, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs were among others present at the official talks.

Responding to the request of the Chief Adviser, the Chinese side instantly declared that they would double the present number of Bangladesh's student scholarships from 50 to 100.

At the official talks it was told that China would send a delegation to Bangladesh over the matter of Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The meeting observed that the friendship between Bangladesh and China is "excellent", based on comprehensive cooperation of partnership.

After the talks and meetings, the Foreign Adviser, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, and CA's Press Secretary briefed newsmen about the outcome of official talks, meetings with the Chinese President and the Vice-President.