The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury here on Friday said that the recent visit of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed to China has boosted bilateral ties between the two friendly countries and raised them to new heights.

He made the comment, through a statement, upon the return of the Chief Adviser and his delegation from China early Friday. The Foreign Adviser was also a member of the delegation.

Dr Iftekhar said that the Chief Adviser held official talks with the key leadership of China, including President Hu Jintao, Vice President Xi Jinping, and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

The discussions underscored the fact that Bangladesh-China relations were "time-tested" and "all-weather", and that they symbolised a "comprehensive partnership for cooperation", he added.

The Foreign Adviser stated that some new potential areas for cooperation and possible Chinese support also came up this time.

These included the construction of future seventh and eighth Friendship bridges planned on Meghna and Meghna-Gumti, collaboration on nuclear power technology with a view to implementing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and on the production of hybrid seeds for expanding agricultural production.

Another important subject that was discussed was a future road link between Bangladesh and China through Myanmar, the Foreign Adviser further stated. "It was agreed that both sides will take it up with Myanmar," he said.

As for cooperation on education, the Chinese side, in response to a request from the Chief Adviser doubled the number of scholarships offered to Bangladeshi students from 50 to 100.

They assured that facilities could be made available to other students as well, Dr Iftekhar said.

He further said that the three agreements signed during the visit on Economic and Technical Cooperation, exchange of Hydrological information on Brahmaputra and Scientific Cooperation in the field of agriculture and all these would contribute to deepening our bilateral partnership.

The Foreign Adviser further stated that the Chief Adviser addressed a well-attended gathering of Chinese business houses and investors, elaborating to them the mutual advantages of broadened commerce and investments.

The Chinese investors were told a Special Economic Zone would be established for them so that Chinese technology and Bangladeshi trained manpower could collaborate to manufacture products for third markets, Dr Iftekhar observed.

"The visit most certainly strengthened the ties that bind our two Asian and developing countries. China is important for us, as Bangladesh is for China", he said.

"I have every confidence that all governments to follow will bear this in mind, and that close ties with China will be an eternal pillar of Bangladesh's foreign policy. I know the Chinese side also shares these sentiments", he said.