China and Bangladesh today agreed to deepen their relations, saying it would extend full support to the Bangladesh Interim Government.

The two countries also agreed to boost investment, trade and cultural ties, people to people exchanges as they mark 50 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relationships. 

Chinese Executive Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in the coastal Chinese town and the two leaders also led a bilateral meeting.

"President Xi Jinping attaches tremendous importance to your visit," Vice-Premier Ding said, adding that China hopes Bangladesh would prosper and grow under the leadership of Prof Yunus. 

During the meeting, the Bangladesh Chief Adviser reiterated the country's firm commitment to the One-China policy. Dhaka takes pride to be the first South Asian country to join China's Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Dhaka sought Chinese support to development and livelihood projects and also called for reduction of interest rates for Chinese loans from 3 percent to one or two percent for Bangladesh. 

It also sought a waiver of commitment fees on the Chinese-funded projects in Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser also sought Beijing's help in facilitating the relocation of the Chinese manufacturing industries, including ready-made garments, electric vehicles, light machinery, high-tech electronics, chip manufacturing and the solar panel industry.

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said Beijing will extend duty-free and quota-free access to Bangladeshi goods to China until 2028 – two years after Dhaka’s graduation from a LDC to a middle-income economy.

Beijing is also keen to start free trade negotiations with Dhaka, he said.

Chinese Executive Vice-Premier said his country would fund modernisation efforts of the Mongla Port and the Dasherkandi Sewage project.

The Vice Premier said China last year signed a protocol to import mango from Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh's mango export to China would begin this summer. Beijing would also import jackfruit and guava and other aquatic products from Bangladesh as China attempted to minimize huge trade imbalance, he said.

He said the Chinese government and its universities would grant more scholarships to Bangladeshi students. Several thousand Bangladeshi students are already studying in Chinese universities.

The Vice Premier assured Chinese funding for purchasing four ocean going vessels for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. 

He said Beijing would foster dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar in an effort to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

Prof Yunus thanked the Chinese leadership for their support, saying Thursday's meeting marks another milestone in the ever-deepening Bangladesh-China partnership.

"Let us resolve to work together to usher in a new era of friendship, cooperation and collaboration, reinforcing the strategic ties between our two nations," he said.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy, Rail and Road Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative to the Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and BIDA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury were present during the meeting.