China to provide $2b in grants, loans: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced on Sunday that during her bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 10, China agreed to provide Bangladesh with $2 billion in grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans, and commercial loans.

"Under these four packages, China has committed to paying the equivalent of $2 billion to Bangladesh," she said at a press conference at Ganabhaban, following her recent trip to China.

Hasina emphasizsd that enhanced communication and cooperation in research, education, ICT, technology, and culture would strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China. 

The next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China. The prime minister highlighted Bangladesh's adherence to Bangabandhu's foreign policy principle of "friendship to all, malice to none," which has guided the nation in its bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts.

"I believe that Bangladesh and China will continue to advance development through mutual assistance, considering global realities like climate change, the Palestine crisis, human rights, sustainable development, and the United Nations," she said.

The prime minister underscored the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and China, which extends beyond economic cooperation to traditional ties as Asian countries.

Addressing the issue of the forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina sought China's cooperation in resolving the crisis. 

She noted that the Chinese president thanked Bangladesh for its humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas and reiterated China's commitment to supporting their repatriation. "President Xi iterated his commitment to support the repatriation of the Rohingya," she added.

Sheikh Hasina also expressed optimism that Bangladesh and China would continue to support each other at regional and international levels.