Bangladesh overturns Hasina’s decision on Teesta project, gives it to China

New Delhi: Bangladeshi has welcomed the participation of Chinese companies in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, according to a joint statement released early Friday after the bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chief Adviser.

Yunus on his first visit to China signed MOU with Chinese counterpart for development of Teesta river basin located at sensitive position near chicken neck of India.

Last year ousted PM Sheikh Hasina on her visit to India decided to hand over Teesta development project to India, depriving China which was eagerly waiting for this project which is in a sensitive area.

Both sides have also agreed to revive Belt Road Initiative which was put on hold by the Hasina government.

The joint statement also talks about cooperation in maritime affairs, infrastructure,trade and one China policy
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, river dredging, integrated management of water resources, water resources development and related technology sharing.

They also spoke positively of the signing of the Implementation Plan of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Exchange of Hydrological Information of the Yarlung Zanbo-Jamuna River

.”Both countries agreed to make concerted efforts to tackle climate change and tap the potential for cooperation in the blue economy.
They agreed to strengthen exchanges on maritime affairs and hold a new round of dialogue on maritime cooperation at an appropriate time.

Both sides reconfirmed equal commitment to nurturing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with utmost importance.
Bangladesh would also welcome Chinese companies to participate in the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project, and would stand ready to work with the Chinese side to further develop the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram.

The two countries underscored the importance of initiating negotiations on the China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement at an early date and officially startng negotiations on optimising the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement.

They agreed to realise the early export of high-quality products of Bangladesh to China, including fresh mangoes and other agricultural and aquatic produce as soon as possible.

The statement said China consistently adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and respects Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the One-China principle and its position that China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

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