China, Bangladesh plan closer co-op with deals on gas, agriculture

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Bangladesh signed a series of agreements on oil, gas, mineral and agricultural cooperation during a four-day official visit to China by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2010. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

The two countries issued a joint statement in Beijing on Friday, in which both sides agreed to build a "closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation" to better contribute to regional and world peace and counter global challenges.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties. The two countries would hold commemorative activities in Beijing and Dhaka to further enhance bilateral friendship, the statement said.

While maintaining high-level contacts and political ties, the two countries planned to take active measures to expand bilateral trade, ease the trade imbalance and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure.

China is to provide preferential tariff treatment to more Bangladeshi products, while Bangladesh would encourage more enterprises to participate in the Shanghai World Expo and other commodity fairs in China to boost exports, the statement said.

The two countries also signed agreements on a concessional loan offered by China to Bangladesh and the construction of the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge at Kajirtek.