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

The two sides 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.

The two sides 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.

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Dhaka, Beijing sign agreement on economic, technical cooperation

They had in-depth discussion on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive consensus.

Both sides reconfirmed equal commitment to nurturing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with utmost importance.

The two sides also agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains and work together to achieve modernisation in both countries.

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 sides underscored the importance to initiate negotiations on the China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement at an early date and officially start negotiations on optimising the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement.

The two sides 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 noninterference 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.