China Assures Yarlung Project Won't Affect Bangladesh Waters

China has assured Bangladesh that its hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River is intended solely for electricity generation and will not affect downstream countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed this assurance during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday. He clarified that China will neither withdraw nor divert any water from the project.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest. The ambassador also briefed the foreign adviser on follow-up actions from the recent visit of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to China, covering potential cooperation in trade, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, green energy, disaster management, and tourism.

The Chinese envoy further referred to discussions held between the Chinese Foreign Minister and the Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser during their recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral collaboration and increasing people-to-people exchanges as part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China this year.