China assures positive consideration for interest rate reduction

President Xi Jinping on Friday said China would give positive consideration to a host of important issues raised by Bangladesh as he held bilateral talks with a Bangladesh delegation led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The issues included a reduction of the interest rate on Chinese loans and cooperation on water resources management, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB, describing the talks between President Xi and Chief Adviser Yunus as a "hugely successful" bilateral meeting.

Shafiqul said the talks were "comprehensive, fruitful and constructive, marked by warmth".

President Xi reiterated China's support to the chief adviser and the interim government, said the press secretary. "It was Prof Yunus' first bilateral foreign tour, and so far, it has been a ‘grand’ success.”

Xi said China would encourage Chinese investment in Bangladesh and relocation of Chinese manufacturing enterprises to Bangladesh.

He spoke about his two tours to Bangladesh and said he studied microcredit when he was the governor of Fujian province, Shafiqul said.

The Chinese president also said he tried Bangladeshi mangoes and jackfruit.

“They are delicious. Bangladesh is expected to export the two fruits to China in a big way in the coming months,” Shafiqul quoted Xi as saying.

Yunus and the Chinese president held bilateral talks at the People's Great Hall and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.

They discussed ways to further strengthen the relations between the two countries and take it to a new height protecting Dhaka-Beijing’s mutual and strategic interests.

Both sides discussed various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and China, trade and investment growth, agriculture, infrastructure, support for renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, as well as overall issues of mutual interest between the two countries, eyeing a new chapter in relations.

At the meeting, Yunus sought China's greater role in establishing peace, prosperity and stability for both nations.

He expressed heartfelt greetings to the Chinese president on behalf of Bangladesh and its people.

Recalling his long relations with China, the chief adviser said he had an attachment with China in introducing Grameen Bank and social business there.

During the meeting, he focused on the Rohingya crisis, seeking China's strong role in safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their home of origin in Myanmar.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Road Transport and Bridges; and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed, High Representative to Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam, and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun accompanied the chief adviser at the meeting, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, among others, were part of the Chinese delegation.

In the morning, Yunus arrived at the Great Hall of China amid a static guard of honour.

He arrived in Beijing on Thursday night to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Vice Minister of China Sun Weidong warmly welcomed Yunus upon his arrival at Beijing International Airport around 10:20pm (China time) after approximately a four-hour journey by air from Qionghai Bo’ao International Airport. Kids also greeted him with flowers.

The chief adviser spoke at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and joined at least eight events, including bilateral meetings, Azad said.

Yunus is on a four-day visit to China through which he thinks the relationship between Bangladesh and China will further be deepened.

The chief adviser will participate in three roundtable discussions on different themes – Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment, Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities and Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros at the same venue, where he will exchange views with CEOs of various companies, experienced individuals from the Social Business Circle, high-ranking officials of renowned Chinese companies, business representatives and the young generation of Bangladeshis and Chinese.

On Saturday morning, the chief adviser will visit Peking University and receive the honorary doctorate.

After receiving the doctorate degree, the chief adviser will deliver a speech to the audience.

In the afternoon, Yunus will give an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), a renowned Chinese media organisation, and Xinhua (likely) where various aspects of the multidimensional relations between Bangladesh and China and the future direction of Bangladesh's position on various contemporary international issues will be shared.

The chief adviser will attend a dinner to be hosted by the ambassador of Bangladesh to China.