China is keen to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in several sectors particularly renewable energy and hi-tech.
Chinese vice-minister of foreign affairs Sun Weidong expressed this eagerness, during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban on Sunday.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Chinese vice-minister said his country and Bangladesh can cooperate in sectors like renewable energy and hi-tech. There is potential for more cooperation here, he said.
The prime minister said China is one of the major development partners of Bangladesh. In the bilateral relations between the two countries, the main focus should be on how to further develop the two countries.
She said Bangladesh allotted lands to Chinese entrepreneurs in Economic zones in Bangladesh where they can set up industries.
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The Chinese vice-minister conveyed the greetings of the Chinese President and the Prime Minister to Sheikh Hasina.
Praising the development of Bangladesh, he said he visited Bangladesh some 10 years ago, but this time he found Bangladesh much more developed. Bangladesh witnessed tremendous development under the leadership of Hasina, he said.
He said he visited Padma Bridge and five other China-assisted projects in Bangladesh.
The prime minister also conveyed her personal regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
She said some 6,000 Bangladeshi students are pursuing study in China and many of them returned home during the COVID pandemic.
PM Hasina thanked the Chinese government for facilitating Bangladeshi students to return to China after the pandemic.
PM’s Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Foreign Ministry Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen were present.
The Chinese vice-minister of foreign affairs arrived in Dhaka on Friday night on a two-day official visit.