China expects smooth JS polls in Bangladesh

---

China expects smooth general elections in Bangladesh to maintain stability as Beijing defined her future relations with Dhaka in four major fields, reports UNB.

"China closely follows the political situation in Bangladesh. Over the past year, the caretaker government has made vigorous efforts in maintaining social stability and economic development. China sincerely hopes that Bangladesh would maintain its stability and hold a smooth general polls," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue said this at an exclusive interview with UNB chief correspondent Shamim Ahmad in Beijing.

Hu Zhengyue said China would build stronger ties with Bangladesh in four fields - increase high level contacts, strengthen business ties and address trade imbalance, expand cooperation in agriculture, education and science and technology where the potential is great and maintain support and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Asked how Beijing could narrow down Sino-Bangladesh trade gap that was lopsided in favour of China, he said China always takes seriously its trade imbalance with Bangladesh and has no intention to pursue trade surplus.

He mentioned that last year, Chinese Ministry of Commerce organised companies to purchase goods from Bangladesh and the two sides signed $53 million worth of contracts and letters of intent.

He said under the framework of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, China also offered to Bangladesh concessions covering 1,717 eight-digit tariff headings and special concessions to 162 eight-digit tariff headings.

"We hope that Bangladesh will make its export companies better informed of these concessions and encourage them to export more to China," the Assistant Foreign Minister said.

He said in addition, China had organised a first South Asian Countries Commodity Fair in Beijing last year wherein Bangladesh participated.