Bangladesh Welcomes Chinese Participation in Teesta Project

Bangladesh has officially welcomed the involvement of Chinese companies in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, as highlighted in a joint statement issued earlier today following a high-level bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two sides emphasized their commitment to strengthening cooperation in critical areas, including hydrological forecasting, flood prevention, disaster reduction, river dredging, integrated water resource management, and technological exchanges for water resources development.

Additionally, both leaders expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Implementation Plan for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the "Exchange of Hydrological Information of the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River," a key step towards furthering collaborative environmental efforts between the two nations.

The discussion also covered broader environmental cooperation, with both countries agreeing to intensify joint efforts in addressing climate change and exploring opportunities in the blue economy. They underscored the need for enhanced exchanges on maritime affairs and agreed to convene a new round of dialogue on maritime cooperation at a mutually convenient time.

The two leaders held in-depth discussions on various bilateral issues, as well as international and regional matters of shared interest, reaching a broad consensus on advancing ties. Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to nurturing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across sectors.

Further strengthening economic ties, Bangladesh expressed its openness to Chinese involvement in the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project. The two countries also pledged to work together to enhance the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram.

In terms of trade, both nations agreed to expedite negotiations for a China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement and to begin talks on optimizing the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement. Both sides are keen to facilitate the early export of high-quality Bangladeshi products, including fresh mangoes, along with other agricultural and aquatic produce, to China.

The joint statement reiterated China's adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, emphasizing its respect for Bangladesh's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Bangladesh, in turn, reaffirmed its strong commitment to the One-China policy, recognizing China as the sole legal government of China, with Taiwan as an integral part of its territory.