China promises continued support for Hasina government to facilitate Bangladesh's development

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng has lauded Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress and said his country will continue supporting the present government for more development.

Gao Hucheng met Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Wednesday.
 
The foreign ministry said during the meeting Hucheng lauded the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the “significant” development strides made in socio- economic development of Bangladesh.
 
He particularly extolled Bangladesh’s more than 6 percent growth rate for the last six years.
 
“He expressed his country's desire to continue supporting the government of Sheikh Hasina for its future endeavours for progress and development,” the ministry said in a statement.
 
The commerce minister arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday on a two-day visit to discuss wide-range of issues including trade and investment.
 
Dhaka-Beijing ties improved significantly last year when Prime Minister Hasina visited China and both countries agreed to embark on a “closer comprehensive partnership”.
 
The foreign minister touched upon the historical background of the relationship during the meeting.
 
During the hour long talks, a host of issues covering ongoing development activities, Chinese investment in Special Economic Zones and other issues of common concern were discussed.
 
Bangladesh side reiterated its ‘one China’ policy which the Chinese side deeply appreciated.
 
Hucheng also appreciated the “constructive support” received from the Bangladesh government “on issues which are critical to Chinese interest”.
 
Ali sought Chinese assistance in the capacity building of the institutions and human resources to boost the blue economy in the Bay of Bengal in order to make optimal use of the maritime resources.
 
He sought Chinese government cooperation in setting up of the first ever ''Marine Aquarium" in Bangladesh at the National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI) in Cox's Bazar.
 
The Chinese minister in response showed keen interest in cooperating in the maritime and blue economy sector and proposed to constitute a "Working Group" in the Ministry of Commerce of China to work on the technical areas.
 
He also mentioned that a Chinese company, namely, 'China Aquatic Corporation' would look into the Bangladesh request for setting up of the first ever marine aquarium in NORI, Cox's Bazar.
 
Referring to the ‘One Belt - One Road’ initiative of Chinese President Xi Xinping, the Chinese minister also emphasised that the initiative would enhance communication, coordination of national policies and overall people-to-people contact between and among all the countries involved.
 
He summarised by saying that through this initiative and related mechanisms China wants to “Discuss together-Develop together- Share together” for common pursuit of progress and development.
 
Both sides reiterated to work together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China.