On December 28, 2014, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali of Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Wang Yi expressed that China and Bangladesh, without any dispute in history and conflict in the present, only enjoy friendship and cooperation. China highly appreciates the firm and consistent support of Bangladesh to issues concerning China's core interests. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship, and bilateral relations are now embracing important development opportunities. Both sides should join efforts to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and promote the in-depth development of a closer bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership.
Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said that China is a friendly neighbor and a reliable development partner of Bangladesh and has made important contribution to economic and social development in the country. The cooperation with China serves as a vital pillar of Bangladesh's diplomacy. The great achievements of China's peaceful development have benefited the region, and Bangladesh will be a good partner of China in revitalizing Asia. Bangladesh will consistently adhere to the One China policy.
Wang Yi noted that China is willing to seek common development and prosperity with its neighboring countries and enhance investment in them. China will take Bangladesh as an important cooperative partner in its periphery especially in South Asia, and seize the great historical opportunity of Asia's development to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, speed up the development of Bangladesh and benefit its people while constantly furthering bilateral political mutual trust.
First, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and give play to its irreplaceable leading role in boosting bilateral relations. Both sides should firmly support each other on their major issues and consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust for deepening cooperation. Both sides should ensure the success of the celebration for the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relationship.
Second, vigorously expand practical cooperation. China is committed to solving the imbalance in bilateral trade and is ready to discuss and sign the bilateral free trade agreement with Bangladesh at an early date to eliminate trade barrier and improve bilateral market access. China is willing to share its advantages with Bangladesh in agricultural production, science, technology and machinery, carry out cooperation in hybrid rice planting with the country and help it consolidate development foundation. China will share experience with Bangladesh in constructing industrial park, train management talents for it and help it advance industrial level. China will intensify investment in Bangladesh and export advanced additional production capacity to the country and hopes the country offer favorable conditions for this. China will help the country develop thermal power and hydropower facilities thus to remove the bottleneck of its development. China will participate in oil and gas exploration and development in Bangladesh. China will give play to its technological and price advantages in infrastructure construction and construct railway, port, road and bridge in the country thus to improve its development conditions. China appreciates Bangladesh's support to the construction of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, and will cooperate with the country to actively advance relevant projects through bilateral and multilateral channels. China is willing to forge a closer relationship with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
Third, facilitate people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will invite 100 Bangladeshi youths to visit China next year, and continue offering 160 places of government scholarship and cultivate 100 Chinese teachers for the country.
Fourth, enhance cooperation in major international and regional affairs such as the post-2015 development agenda and the post-2020 action plan on addressing climate change, strengthen coordination on important issues such as the UN reform and together safeguard interests of developing countries.
Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali expressed that Bangladesh thanks and agrees to China's proposal and expects to intensify cooperation in broad fields with China, which conforms to the development interests of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will expand export to China, promote investment cooperation, back the construction of the Chinese industrial parks, deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure investment and other areas, and actively support and participate in constructing the Belt and Road. Bangladesh will, together with China, continuously expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen cooperation in the UN affairs, addressing climate change and other aspects.