Bangladesh will take a note of the observations or views from any third country like the US and India, if any, on the construction of a deep-sea port with the assistance of China.
“We will of course take a note of it,” Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said at a press briefing yesterday in reply to a question about the ‘uneasiness’ of the US and India about Chinese influence over the building of deep-sea ports in the region that is happening with China’s assistance.
If a third or neighbouring country has anything on their mind regarding Bangladesh’s relationship with China as far as the construction of the deep-sea ports is concerned, Dhaka will listen to it, he added.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka had built two deep-sea ports in their countries with the assistance of China.
“We will discuss the probable Chinese assistance for the construction of a deep-sea port at Sonadia [during the prime minister’s visit to China]. Let’s have the negotiations first, then we will deal with what might happen afterwards,” the minister said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will fly to China on June 6 at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and will have official talks on June 8 and 9.
During the official talks, the prime minister will most likely discuss financing for several other mega-projects.
The projects are a 1320 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali, a National ICT Intra Network for Bangladesh Government (Phase-3), Rajshahi Wasa Water Treatment Plant, a tunnel under the Karnaphuli, a second Rail Bridge over the Karnaphuli and the establishment of Chittagong-Ramu-Cox’s Bazar and Ramu-Gundum rail lines with an estimated cost of $4 billion.
“Chinese loans and assistance in several infrastructure and power plant projects will be discussed in the official talks,” said the foreign minister.
One of the purposes of the visit is to reduce trade gaps and increase Chinese assistance for the socio-economic development of the country, he said.
Two-way trade between the two countries was $6.77 billion in 2012-13 where Bangladesh’s export to China was only $458 million.
The minister said to materialise the regional cooperation, it is important to increase the scope of political and economic cooperation among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar.
“Effort is being made for the implementation of a Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar Economic Corridor and it is expected that its next joint working group meeting will be held in Cox’s Bazar in September.”
Regarding the border tension with Myanmar, he said it is natural that any two neighbouring countries face problems, but the important thing is how they tackle it.
“If any tension arises on the border, it should be addressed immediately and after that the problems should be solved through dialogue. We are working on keeping future prospects in mind,” Mahmood said.
At present, the foreign secretary level discussion is going on, he said, but refused to disclose the developments.
“The discussion must be held secretly and the less we talk about it, the better it is,” he said.
A flag meeting between the two border forces will be held today and Border Guard Bangladesh Director General Major General Aziz Ahmed is going to Myanmar on a five-day visit on June 9.
Myanmar Deputy Foreign Secretary is also coming to Dhaka on June 18 to attend foreign secretary level talks, the minister said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on June 8-9 in the capacity of Special Envoy of the President of China.
The objective of the visit is to establish contact with the new government of India, said a press release of the Indian Foreign Ministry.
The visit is an important element of the Year of India-China Friendly Exchanges and will provide further momentum to the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.
