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representatives of major corporations, including Chery Group, HANDA Group, and Chinatex Corporation.

During his meeting with Li Guoying, Tarique highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing river dredging and excavation programmes aimed at reducing flood risks, protecting the environment, and improving water resource management.

He sought Chinese technical assistance for river management projects, including the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.

In response, the Chinese minister assured Bangladesh of Beijing’s full cooperation in water resource management initiatives, according to BSS.

Bangladesh faces recurring water-related challenges, including dry-season shortages of irrigation water and rising salinity, as well as monsoon flooding. The problems particularly affect farmers in the northern and southeastern regions.

Since taking office in February, the BNP government has undertaken river and canal excavation projects and advanced plans for a proposed Padma Barrage.

The Teesta water-sharing issue with India has remained unresolved for a long time. Bangladesh later sought Chinese support for the Teesta management project, for which Chinese experts have already conducted a feasibility study.

Foreign ministry officials said the project should not create difficulties with India because it is located entirely within Bangladesh. However, they noted that a water-sharing agreement with India remains essential to ensure adequate dry-season flows.

Referring to a water-management MoU signed by the two countries in 2005 and visits by Chinese experts to Bangladesh last year, Li Guoying said bilateral cooperation had become increasingly practical and research-oriented.

Tarique also requested Chinese assistance in preventing riverbank erosion, improving irrigation systems, and enhancing inland waterway navigation.

The Chinese minister, in turn, invited Bangladeshi officials and experts to undergo training in China on modern water-management techniques.

The 13 MoUs were signed following bilateral talks between Tarique and Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The agreements cover trade, investment, infrastructure development, and political cooperation.

Earlier in the day, Li Qiang accorded Tarique a red-carpet reception and a ceremonial guard of honour.

The BNP and the CPC separately signed an MoU aimed at strengthening ties between the two parties. BNP Joint Secretary General Humaiun Kobir and CPC International Department Minister Liu Haixing signed the agreement.

“They discussed long-term economic cooperation, and the Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty, security, and economic development,” Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin told reporters in Beijing.

According to BSS, Tarique also sought China’s support for Bangladesh’s development projects and the proposed China-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital during a separate meeting with Liu.

Liu expressed hope for expanding cooperation in media, think tanks, and people-to-people exchanges while reiterating China’s support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty, security, and development.

Briefing reporters, Mahdi said the two sides also discussed modernising Bangladesh’s railway sector and moving toward domestic locomotive manufacturing instead of relying on foreign contractors.

At the Bangladesh Investment Forum, Tarique invited Chinese investors to expand their presence in Bangladesh, saying the country was ready to become a competitive and profitable partner.

He announced the formation of a special 180-day implementation cell to improve the investment climate and said new business licences could now be obtained within 15 days.

Tarique is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping today before concluding his visit.

GDI, OTHER MOUS

One of the 13 MoUs signed yesterday was under China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), covering cooperation in healthcare, education and human resource development, Mahdi told reporters. Proposed by Xi in 2021, the GDI aims to accelerate the achievement of the UN’s 2030 SDGs.

China had long encouraged Bangladesh to join the initiative, but Dhaka had remained cautious. Officials said Bangladesh’s growing need for investment in socio-economic development made participation in the framework increasingly attractive.

The remaining agreements covered investment, green development, education, media, culture and language cooperation.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and senior foreign ministry officials signed the deals on behalf of Bangladesh.

According to Mahdi, talks between the two premiers focused on expanding Bangladesh’s export capacity, increasing exports to China and strengthening development cooperation.

“We also discussed concessional Chinese loans with lower interest rates and longer grace periods,” he said.

The two sides also signed a separate cooperation plan on human resource development.

Mahdi said one MoU would facilitate the export of Bangladesh’s national fruit, jackfruit, to China.

Two others laid the groundwork for introducing Mandarin language education, incorporating Mandarin into Bangladesh’s school curriculum and expanding cooperation in technical and vocational education.

Four agreements were signed to strengthen collaboration in the media sector, including cooperation among think tanks and partnerships between state-owned television channels and newspapers of the two countries, he added.

On investment, Mahdi said that besides agreements involving the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), separate MoUs were signed to promote Chinese investment in Anwara in Chattogram and Mongla in Bagerhat.

“Through economic zones, we aim to attract new Chinese factories and production facilities to Bangladesh and create employment opportunities,” he said.

PM’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir said Tarique also raised the Rohingya crisis during his talks with Chinese leaders, who assured Bangladesh of their continued support on the issue.

“We are impressed, honoured, and delighted by the extraordinary respect and hospitality that China has extended to our prime minister,” Humaiun said. “We believe this has further enhanced both the prime minister’s stature and Bangladesh’s image internationally.”