China expresses full cooperation in Teesta project, possibility of bullet train

He made these remarks as a special guest at a seminar titled 'Long Live Bangladesh-China Friendship' organized by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Society at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday (July 18). The chief guest at the event was Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The ambassador said that the strategic partnership between the two countries has been further strengthened through recent high-level visits. China is ready to provide long-term cooperation to Bangladesh in important areas such as development, trade, connectivity, and regional stability.

Regarding the Teesta Master Plan, Yao Wen said that the feasibility study of the project is progressing rapidly. Beijing is ready to provide necessary technical and financial assistance. He expressed hope that if the project is implemented, it will have a positive impact on water management, agricultural production, and environmental development in the northern region.

He informed that new opportunities have also been created for the export of Bangladeshi agricultural products. During the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, an important protocol was signed regarding the export of fresh jackfruit from Bangladesh. As a result, the national fruit jackfruit, after mango, will also get the opportunity to enter the vast Chinese market.

Regarding cooperation in the connectivity sector, the ambassador said that work on the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCM) is progressing. Besides, the possibility of using China's high-speed rail technology for Bangladesh is also being considered with importance. He mentioned that in the future, there may be opportunities to launch bullet trains on important routes including Dhaka-Chattogram.

Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Yao Wen said that in the new political reality of Myanmar, China will continue its mediating role to advance dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar and ensure the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya.