China eyes BCIM framework deal shortly

China looks forward to sign a BCIM framework agreement latest by early next year to give 'formal institutional shape' to its dream economic corridor. Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Qu Guangzhou on Saturday sought ‘all-out efforts’ of the four countries – China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar to make it happen, given the significance of the corridor. He said the forthcoming 2nd joint working group meeting in Cox’s Bazar would work for a consensus on signing the agreement. Guangzhou was sharing his government’s thoughts at a seminar on ‘BCIM-EC and Maritime Silk Route across the Bay’ in Dhaka. The BCIM comprises China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Ambassador of Japan, which has recently launched another Bay initiative BIG-B, was also present in the audience. The concept of BCIM was raised by think-tanks from four countries in 1999. After nearly 15 years of Track II level discussion, China and India ultimately agreed to explore the possibility of an economic corridor during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India in May last year. Bangladesh immediately announced its support and it will host the next joint working group meeting expected to be held in October, according to bdnews24.com.