Bangladesh-China bilateral trade crosses $25b

Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China has exceeded $25 billion_ Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming informed.

Terming the economic cooperation between the two Asian countries 'most eye-catching   Mr Li also informed that China has granted 98% duty-free treatment to help boost Bangladesh`s export to the top economy of Asia.

He said these while addressing a function organised to mark the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People s Republic of China held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Dhaka on Saturday.

Mr Li said that China has arranged six chartered flights to take back the Bangladeshi students who are stranded in Dhaka during the pandemic. The first of these flights is scheduled to fly on Monday. The Chinese embassy had restarted visa issuance_ he added.

About the Chinese projects in Bangladesh he said_ major projects funded or constructed by China have been completed_ including the Payra Power Plant and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant_ both the largest of their kind across the whole region.

The Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center and the Bangamata 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge built with Chinese aid have also been completed and put into use_ he added.

 Other projects under construction_ such as the Single Point Mooring System and the Karnaphuli Tunnel_ have also made sound progress and will be completed soon .

 China and Bangladesh are amicable neighbours and indispensable strategic partners_ the envoy said adding that friendly interactions between the two countries could be traced back centuries ago.

Referring to the recent visits of the speaker of the Chinese parliament and the Chinese foreign minister_ the Chinese envoy said_ during the interactions_ the two sides renewed commitments to traditional friendship_ reiterated the one-China principle_ agreed to deepen strategic integration_ and further enhanced practical cooperation_ thereby jointly infused power of stability to the region and beyond against an uneasy international environment.