Staff Reporter:
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain yesterday left Dhaka for China on his first bilateral official trip, aiming to forge a new dimension of Dhaka-Beijing relations.
The five-day official visit will focus on lowering interest rates on loans, exchanging hydrological information, advancing medical treatment cooperation, and encouraging greater Chinese involve-ment in resolving the Myanmar situation.
Invited by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, this visit-described as a “very important first bilat-eral visit” since the interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus assumed office in August last year-is viewed as a pivotal step in strengthening ties with Beijing, according to foreign rela-tions experts.
Touhid is set to hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Tuesday.
Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen has hinted that Beijing is ready to sign an implementa-tion plan on hydrological information exchange, fulfilling a previous request from Dhaka.
Discussions on China’s potential role in Bangladesh’s crucial Teesta River project are also expected to feature prominently during the visit.
The adviser’s decision to prioritize China for his first bilateral visit marks a significant shift from previous governments, where foreign ministers often opted for India as their initial destination due to geographical and political considerations.
Beyond official talks with the Chinese foreign minister, the adviser is scheduled to meet with Chi-nese Communist Party leaders and deliver speeches at the China Institute of International Studies and the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, apart from engaging with business representa-tives in Shanghai to attract Chinese investments in Bangladesh, according to foreign ministry offi-cials.
On Sunday, Chinese Ambassador Yao briefed the foreign adviser on key issues for the visit.
The envoy reaffirmed China’s respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reiterat-ing support for the country’s stability, reforms, democratic transition, and development initiatives.
