Bangladesh, China sign two deals, 13 MoUs to bolster cooperation

Bangladesh and China Thursday signed 13 multifaceted memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and two agreements, marking significant advances in bilateral relations, capping summit talks in Beijing.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held official talks with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital.
The instruments, signed in the presence of the two leaders, cover "a wide range of sectors like trade, investment, infrastructure, education, technology and people-centric development initiatives", according to Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The signing ceremony followed the bilateral meeting between Tarique Rahman and Li Qiang, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating Bangladesh-China relations to a new level of strategic and economic cooperation.
Earlier in the day, the Chinese premier accorded Tarique Rahman a red-carpet welcome and a guard of honour at the Great Hall of the People, underscoring the importance Beijing attaches to relations with Bangladesh.

As part of his busy diplomatic schedule, Tarique Rahman also met Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying, where the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in river management, including the long-discussed Teesta River project.
The prime minister highlighted Bangladesh's ongoing river-dredging programmes aimed at reducing flood risks, protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable management of water resources. He sought China's support in strengthening Bangladesh's water-resource-management capabilities.
Tarique Rahman expressed hope for Chinese technical assistance in implementing the Teesta management project, a key infrastructure initiative for northern Bangladesh where the river-basin areas face floods and droughts by turns.
Responding positively, Li Guoying assured Bangladesh of China's full support in the field of water-resource management.
The Chinese minister recalls the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2005 and the visit of Chinese water experts to Bangladesh last year, describing bilateral cooperation in the water sector as "practical, research-based and steadily expanding".
The visiting Bangladeshi prime minister also sought Chinese assistance in preventing river erosion, improving irrigation systems and enhancing inland waterway navigation.
Li Guoying said Bangladesh could benefit from China's extensive experience in water management and invited Bangladeshi water experts and relevant officials to receive professional training in China.
The meeting was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and Prime Minister's Adviser on Education, Primary Education, Expatriates' Welfare, Overseas Employment and Labour Affairs Mahdi Amin.
Mahdi Amin, also spokesperson for the PMO, says a key highlight of the visit will be Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday morning at the Great Hall of the People.
The prime minister is expected to raise a number of issues related to Bangladesh's national interest during his discussions with both Chinese leaders.
According to Mahdi Amin, the visit aims to strengthen Bangladesh's geopolitical and strategic position, advance a balanced foreign policy and attract greater Chinese investment into the country.
Other objectives include generating employment opportunities, expanding bilateral trade, enhancing people-to-people contacts and deepening cooperation in education, culture, information technology and healthcare.
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