Calls for implementation of tri-nation road link quickly

President M Zillur Rahman has called for quick implementation of the Bangladesh-Myanmar-China road link under the 'Kunming Initiative' in a bid to increase trade and cooperation between the neighbouring countries. The President made the call when a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by CPC Politburo Member Liu Qi, called on him at Bangabhaban in the city Thursday, reports UNB. Welcoming the delegation, President Rahman appreciated the Chinese government for its assistance to Bangladesh's socio-economic development since the country's independence. "We need more cooperation, more help from China," he said. The President recalled that father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China in 1953 and 1957. "We believe in 'one China Policy', he said. The CPC delegation leader Liu Qi informed Mr Rahman that China is very keen to increase its cooperation with Bangladesh in all sectors especially in economy, trade, agriculture, education, infrastructure development, science and technology. "China has adopted a special policy to increase cooperation with Bangladesh," he said. The CPC leader laid emphasis on exchange of high level visits to further strengthen relations and expand cooperation between Bangladesh and China. He lauded Bangladesh's initiatives on Climate Change Issues taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. China is keen to extend its cooperation to address the climate change issues in Bangladesh, he said. He also informed that China would increase the number of scholarships for Bangladeshis from 50 to 500, ten times more than in the past. The Chinese delegation included Liu Jieyi, vice minister, CPC International Department, Li Shiziang, standing committee member and secretary general of CPC Beijing Committee, Lu Wei, standing member and head of information department of CPC Beijing Committee, Zhang Xianyi, Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh, Li Zhijun, vice secretary general, CPC Beijing Committee, and Zhao Huimin, director general of Beijing Foreign Affairs office.