Beijing: China has agreed to extend the loan repayment period for Bangladesh, ensure duty-free, quota-free market access for Bangladeshi products for three years post-LDC graduation, and designate hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients’ treatment, strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Beijing has also assured consideration of Dhaka’s request to reduce the interest rate of Chinese loans to Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, these pledges were made during bilateral talks between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyuitai State Guest House in Beijing. A foreign ministry press release highlighted that the discussions covered a wide range of topics, including development cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure development, and people-to-people exchanges.
On the sidelines of the meeting, both nations signed an instrument titled ‘Implementation Plan of the MoU on Exchange of Hydrological Information Sharing of the Yaluzangbu-Jamuna River’. The talks reaffirmed their commitment to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ and expressed a determination to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s stability, reforms, and development initiatives, emphasizing China’s support for projects beneficial to the livelihood of Bangladesh’s people. Adviser Hossain emphasized the importance of his visit as it coincides with the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Bangladesh has requested China to reduce the interest rate on loans from 2-3% to 1% and to extend the loan repayment period from 20 to 30 years. Praising Bangladesh’s repayment track record, Foreign Minister Yi agreed in principle to extend the loan period and assured to consider the interest rate reduction request.
In medical cooperation, Foreign Minister Yi announced China’s decision to designate hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients and welcomed the proposal for a specialized Chinese hospital in Dhaka. Both sides emphasized continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and Bangladesh expressed its intent to engage with China’s global initiatives.
The discussion also addressed the Rohingya crisis, reaffirming a commitment to finding a durable solution. China assured continued engagement with Myanmar to promote regional stability. The visit included meetings with the Chinese Communist Party and China International Development Cooperation Agency, focusing on development projects and financial cooperation.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, accompanied by senior officials, arrived in Beijing for this official visit at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister.