China is ready for executing Bangladesh's long-stalled Teesta river project and for building four hospitals in the country, the Chinese ambassador says and also unveils Beijing's plan on a joint faceoff against tariff turmoil.
China wants to address the challenges of 'reciprocal tariff' imposed by the Trump administration in collaboration with other countries, including Bangladesh and the European Union, Ambassador Yao Wen told a meet in Dhaka on Sunday.
Terming the US tariff move 'a crazy' decision, which jeopardises the international trading order, he said China is looking forward to Bangladesh and others, including the European Union, to work together to stop the turmoil and bring the matter onto the right track in order to 'find the right way out'.
"So, let's work together," the ambassador said while addressing a seminar on 'Reassessing Sino-Bangla Relations: Chief Adviser's Landmark Visit' organised by the China-South Asia Centre for Socio-cultural Studies (CSCSS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance(SIPG), North-South University.
National Security Adviser and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman was the chief guest at the seminar moderated by Tawfiq M Haque, director of the SIPG.
Referring to Bangladesh government's invitation to Chinese companies for involving in the Teesta River water-management project, he said his country has been involved in many game-changer projects in Bangladesh and now China is ready for the Teesta Project also.
"The relations between Bangladesh and China are not focused on any particular party or government but aim to serve the interests of the people," the Chinese diplomat spelled out-in an implicit reference to the recent regime change here.
About the US tariff turbulence, he said it has hugely disrupted the current multilateral free-trade agreement and runs counter to international law.
But he made it clear China hit back against the US move and imposed increased tariffs against US exports in a similar fashion.
Reports say China levied 125-percent duties on US exports to its market in a tit-for-tat action after the Trump government slapped a steep 145-percent tariff on Chinese exports.
"We'll fight back. We're fighting for free trade. We're fighting for the balance and justice of the world. We're maintaining this current international trade agreement."
However, he mentions that China is also for negotiation.
"China is ready if US wants to talk with us. China will not reject any talk. But the talk is possible if it is based on mutual trust. China will not talk to someone. So China will wait and see which the next move taken over by the US."
But, until this happens, China continues to fight, not only for itself but also for the word, he told the audience, adding: "We are taking this responsibility."
Mr Wen emphasised the importance of economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China with a focus on deeper integration and mutual support, and described the Chief Adviser's visit to China as a milestone, highlighting the political message of mutual support between the two countries.
"The visit is seen as defining the future direction of cooperation, with increased mutual trust and discussions on terror issues. The one-China principle is reiterated, opposing independence for Taiwan, and Bangladesh's expected support for China's stance on the issue," he added.
The Chinese diplomat notes that the upcoming visit of a delegation from China would focus on educational and healthcare cooperation.
"Next week, a government delegation of Yunnan will visit Bangladesh, and this time they'll do two very important missions for the visit. One is enhanced educational cooperation. The other is on healthcare," he informed.
He mentions that China has already opened four hospitals in the province for the treatment of the patients from Bangladesh. The first batch of patients only went there. So they are encouraged by the treatment provided by these four hospitals-and this just marks "our first step".
The Chinese delegation's visit also aims to open more Chinese hospitals in Bangladesh and enhance vocational educational training through collaboration with North-South University, he said.
Also, Chinese companies plan to establish a regional training centre in Bangladesh to train local labourers for projects in the Middle East and Europe.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
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