Dhaka-Beijing holds bilateral talks, signs 4 instruments

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Dhaka and Beijing today signed four MoUs and agreements on different cooperation after visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held an hour-long bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen here.

Cooperation on infrastructure development, disaster management, cultural exchange and marine science cooperation are among the signed documents, state Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam told media after the meeting at a city hotel.

He said at the bilateral meeting, China promised to give duty-free access of another one percent of Bangladeshi products to its market.

“I think this is the major achievement of his (Chinese foreign minister) visit here that China will allow duty free access of extra one percent of Bangladeshi products to their market,” Alam said.

From September 1st, he said Bangladesh will get 99 percent duty-free export facility in the Chinese market.

Alam said the Chinese minister also showed interest to commence discussion regarding preferential trade mechanism with Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Wang highly lauded Bangladesh’s socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.

Both sides discussed bilateral, regional and global issues and expressed hope to elevate bilateral relations between Dhaka and Beijing into a new level, he added.

Alam said the Chinese foreign minister briefed on Chinese position regarding ongoing Taiwan issue and appreciated Bangladesh’s position on “One-China” policy.

About the Rohingya crises, he said Wang reiterated his country’s commitment to do their level best to find a solution to start repatriation of displaced people to Myanmar from Bangladesh.

Wang also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before leaving Dhaka at noon.

The Chinese foreign minister arrived here yesterday afternoon while Agriculture Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Muhammad Abdur Razzaque received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) here.

Wang visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 on Saturday evening and paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Shahriar Alam received the Chinese foreign minister at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. (BSS)