Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on a five-day official visit to China, has reached Kunming.
Published : 06 Jun 2014, 12:22 PM
PM’s visit to bolster China ties
Dhaka to seek $4bn Chinese loan
Bangladesh foreign ministry had earlier said the visit was “a reaffirmation of the close and comprehensive partnership between the two countries”.
Hasina was accorded a red-carpet reception as the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying her and her entourage landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport at 11:25am local time on Friday.
Bangladesh Ambassador to China Azizul Haque and Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province Li Jiheng welcomed Hasina at the airport.
China, along with India and Russia, supported the Hasina government after it took charge following the Jan 5 parliament polls. The West found the polls “not credible enough” and called for fresh ones.
Prime Minister Li Keqiang said it would be possible to carry Sino-Bangladesh relations to 'new heights' with Hasina in power.
A bilateral meeting is scheduled between Hasina and her Chinese counterpart Li. A joint communique is expected to be signed between Bangladesh and China later.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Wednesday said Bangladesh would seek about $ 4 billion loan from China for six specific projects during the visit.
A 1,320 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali, Rajshahi WASA water treatment plant project, and multilane tunnels beneath the Karnaphuli River would be among such projects to be discussed.