Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dhaka

Press Release

Dhaka 14 October 2016

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH ON ESTABLISHING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP OF COOPERATION 14 October 2016, Dhaka

1.              At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 14-15 October 2016. This visit has ushered the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh into a new era and bears significant historical importance to the bilateral relationship.

2.              During the visit, President Xi Jinping held meetings and talks with President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker of Parliament ShirinSharminChaudhury of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Bangladesh relations and international and regional issues of common interest, and reached broad consensus.

3.              The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh and fast development of bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed that the cooperation between China and Bangladesh, two developing countries with large populations, and their common development and prosperity are conducive to the improvement of the welfare of the two peoples, and will also promote the development of the region and the self-relied growth of developing countries. Based on the common aspiration for and the bright future of the cooperation between the two countries, both sides agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

4.              The two sides reiterated their adherence to the important principles for developing China-Bangladesh relations, including developing bilateral relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respecting and supporting each other in choosing the paths of development according to the national conditions, and respecting and supporting each other’s core interest and major concerns. China appreciates Bangladesh's commitment to one China policy and its support for China on issues related to China's core interests and China's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Bangladesh appreciates China’s Support for its efforts in maintaining national independence and sovereignty and realizing national stability and development.

5.              The two sides agreed to enhance high-level exchanges, maintain frequent contacts between leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of multilateral fora, strengthening exchanges and cooperation at various levels between the two governments, legislative bodies, political parties, and peoples to deepen mutual trust at all levels. The two sides agreed to hold the Foreign Secretary/ Vice-Minister level consultations on a regular basis in order to implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countriesand review various global, regional issues of mutual interest as well as entire range of bilateral issues.

6.              Bangladesh is appreciative of China’s initiative of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” (the Belt and Road Initiative), believing it will bring important opportunities for Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a Developed Country by 2041. The two sides agreed to enhance the alignment of the development strategies of the two countries, fully tap the potentials of cooperation in various areas, work on “the Belt and Road Initiative”, so as to realize sustainable development and common prosperity of the two countries.

7.              The two sides agreed to expand and deepen trade and investment cooperationand identified infrastructure, industrial capacity cooperation, energy and power, transportation, information and communication technology, agriculture as the key areas of China-Bangladesh practical cooperation. The relevant departments of the two governments will enhance policy exchanges in the above-mentioned areas and provide planning and guidance for the bilateral cooperation, increase investment and human resources development. Enterprises of the two countries will be encouraged to prioritize their cooperation in this regard. The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the positive progress made in a number of projects such as 1320 MW Payra thermal power plant, construction of multi-lane tunnel under the river Karnaphuli, Dahserkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant, procurement of six vessels, Padma Bridge, IV Tier National Data Centre. The Chinese side agreed to consider and encourage Chinese Enterprises to explore cooperation on the 22 projects proposed by the Bangladeshi side in power, ICT, river management, infrastructure and other areas on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

8.              The two sides expressed happiness at the signing of the Framework Agreement for Developing Cooperation on Production Capacity between Bangladesh and China, and agreed that the Framework Agreement would be utilized for developing cooperation on production capacity of companies and financial institutions to improve the level of investment and cooperation between the two countries. The two sides agreed that specific cooperation would include, among others, construction and operation of infrastructure, metallurgy and material, resource processing, equipment manufacturing, light industry, electronics and textiles, semiconductors and nanotechnology, industry clusters, and other areas agreed by both countries. The two sides agreed to cooperate for developing and investing in the ICT sector. The two sides agreed to continue their cooperation on river management, including dredging with land reclamation.

9.              The two sides welcome Chinese financial institutions to provide financial support to the bilateral cooperation and are willing to explore more ways of financing the major projects. The two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation under the framework of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and welcome the Bank’s financing support to the Power Distribution System Upgrade and Expansion Project in Bangladesh.

10.           While emphasizing the need for regular holding of the Joint Commission (JEC) meetings, both sides expressed happiness at the successful convening of the 14th Session of the Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Dhaka in August 2016. The two sides agreed to promote the growth of bilateral trade and mutual investment in the spirit of mutual benefit; win-win cooperation and common development, by giving full play to the role of JEC. The two sides agreed to continue to take various measures to promote balanced development of the bilateral trade. The two sides agreed to start feasibility studies on the establishment of China-Bangladesh Free Trade Area. China will continue to encourage and support competent Chinese enterprises to invest and build Economic & Industrial Zones in Bangladesh. Bangladesh will facilitate and support Chinese enterprises doing business in Bangladesh.

11.           The two sides believed that there are extensive potentials for cooperation in maritime affairs between the two countries, and agreed to establish a dialogue mechanism for maritime cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to assist the Bangladeshi side in developing Blue Economy and strengthening its capacity in relevant areas for which the Bangladeshi side expressed its appreciation.

12.           Both sides believed that China and Bangladesh are important partners in South-South cooperation among developing countries. The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the South-South cooperation Framework, making contribution to their respective efforts in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Bangladeshi side appreciates for the long-term support of China for Bangladesh’s economic and social development and for the Friendship Bridges built by China to promote connectivity in Bangladesh. The Chinese government would continue to provide assistance to Bangladesh within its capacity, and carry out cooperation projects under the framework of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund.

13.           The Chinese side took note of the concerns of the Bangladeshi side in combating the adverse impacts of climate change, such as protection from the rising sea-level, land reclamation from the sea and rivers, and protecting farmland and forests (including mangroves and seaweeds) from the intrusion of salinity. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh on Climate Change and supports Bangladesh in its efforts in this regard. Supporting Bangladesh in its efforts in urbanization and industrialization, the Chinese side will provide support and assistance to Bangladesh in strengthening disaster management capacity building, seeking waste management and water treatment solutions for both urban and industrial areas and developing earthquake resilient infrastructure.

14.           The two sides agreed to provide more training opportunities of human resources and skills development for the Bangladeshi side. The Bangladeshi side expressed its gratitude for the enhancement of education, training and scholarship opportunities for its students and officials in China. The Chinese side will continue to provide training courses to Bangladeshi professionals in fields such as public administration, science and technology, agriculture, health care, arts, and help the Bangladeshi side to develop professional training in Bangladesh. The Chinese side will continue to provide government scholarships for Bangladeshi students to study in China, and fund the outstanding young Bangladeshi scientists to work in China.

15.           The two sides agreed to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries. The two sides agreed to announce the year 2017 as the “Year of Friendship and Exchanges” between China and Bangladesh. Both sides agreed to expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism and other fields, and to promote interactions between the media, think tanks, youth, women organizations, non-governmental groups and local authorities of the two countries. The two sides agreed to implement the annual action plan under the framework of the Executive Program of the Cultural Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. China will train 500 Chinese-language teachers for Bangladesh, train 100 Bangladeshi cultural professionals, and invite 600 Bangladeshi students to visit China during 2016 to 2020. The two sides agreed, on the basis of the principle of equality and mutual benefit, to continue to facilitate the visits between the peoples of the two countries.

16.           The two sides agreed to maintain military cooperation and exchanges at various levels and deepen cooperation in areas such as personnel training, equipment and technology and UN peacekeeping missions.

17.           The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Chinese side conveyed its support for Bangladesh’s efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining national security and stability and expressed its readiness to cooperate through sharing of information, capacity building and training with Bangladeshi side. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a dialogue mechanism on countering terrorism. 

18.           The two sides value the important role of BCIM Economic Corridor in promoting practical cooperation among the BCIM-EC countries and the development of the region as a whole. The two sides are ready to enhance communication and coordination in pushing forward the establishment of BCIM Economic Corridor. The two sides also agreed to push for early consensus on the Joint Study Report and establish the governmental cooperation framework between the four parties, so as to launch early harvest programs at an early date.

19.           The two sides emphasized that they will abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stay committed to realizing democratization of international Organizations. The two sides agreed to maintain the status and critical role of the UN in international affairs, support necessary reform of the UN and the UN Security Council, and increased representation of developing countries in the Security Council. The two sides maintain that the reform should be achieved by adopting a comprehensive reform agenda through democratic consultations and on the foundation of the broadest consensus.

20.           The two sides agreed to enhance their cooperation in UN and other international organizations, including enhancing coordination and cooperation in global issues such as sustainable development, energy, food security and other challenges and appeals of developing countries, and will work together to promote peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in international trade, economic and financial organizations and support the efforts of building of a more just and reasonable international economic order and consolidating South-South cooperation.

21.           The two sides agreed that South Asia has enormous vitality and potential. The two sides reiterated their commitments for a peaceful, stable, open, inclusive, developing and prosperous South Asia. The two sides agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation in SAARC and other regional cooperation mechanisms.

22.           The two sides signed documents of cooperation in areas such as: cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, industrial capacity building, power and energy, information and communication technology, investment, maritime cooperation, disaster management and cultural and people-to-people contacts.

23.           President Xi Jinping appreciated the gracious hospitality of the government and people of Bangladesh and invited the leaders of Bangladesh to visit China at a mutually convenient time.