Bangladesh PM meets Chinese foreign minister on cooperation

DHAKA - Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday, with both sides emphasizing their willingness to further deepen pragmatic cooperation.

Hasina congratulated the successful holding of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and thanked the Chinese side for offering long-term support and aid to Bangladesh's development and construction.

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Bangladesh, establishing the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Hasina said, adding that the Bangladeshi side is willing to further deepen pragmatic cooperation with the Chinese side in all fields.

For his part, Wang said China is willing to work with Bangladesh to firmly support each other on issues of core interests and major concern, and deepen China-Bangladesh strategic cooperative partnership.

He expressed the hope that the two sides could speed up the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively push forward the building of Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar-Economic Corridor.

The Chinese foreign minister also suggested the two sides to explore new cooperation areas such as maritime cooperation. China will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh, he added.

Hasina and Wang also discussed the Rohingya issue. Wang said the issue should be resolved by Bangladesh and Myanmar through dialogue and consultation, and expected the two sides to sign an agreement as scheduled on the repatriation of the Rohingya people who have crossed into Bangladesh.

China is willing to continue to offer support for a proper settlement of the issue, he added.

Xinhua

(China Daily 11/20/2017 page12)