B'desh seeks Chinese help in nuke energy use

Dhaka, Jun 5: Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan has sought Chinese technical assistance for peaceful use of nuclear energy in power generation in the country.

Mr Khan who is now on a three-day official visit to Beijing requested the Chinese assistance yesterday during a meeting with State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan. Mr Tang is one of the nine members of the State Council, the higest policy formulating body of the Chinese government.

Dhaka and Beijing signed an agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy during Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Dhaka in April last year.

During the meeting Mr Khan also requested specific Chinese assistance in infrastructure development and power generation in Bangladesh, UNB quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Zahirul Huq as saying.

Mr Khan said, ''In view of rapid industrial growth, there was a felt need for harnessing nuclear energy for the peaceful use of power generation in the country.'' The two leaders expressed deep stasifaction at the close and friendly relations existing between Bangladesh and China. They underscored the need for further deepening and strengthening the relations through continued dialogue and cooperation.

Mr Khan highlighted the progress made in the bilateral relations, especially since the signing of the host of agreements in 2005 to mark the Year of Friendship between the two countries.

Mr Khan, who will hold official talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing tomorrow said he would discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identify possible ways to further accelerate cooperation in different sectors.

State Councillor Tang assured that China would continue to remain a ''reliable partner'' in Bangladesh's national development efforts.

Mr Tang said the Chinese government would like to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries. He appreciated Bangladesh's steadfast support to ''One China'' policy and briefed Mr Khan about steps being taken by the Chinese government towards reunification with Taiwan in the long term.

He also thanked Bangladesh as the current SAARC chair for facilitating China's entry in the forum as Observer.

The two leaders exchanged views on a number of multilateral and international issues and reaffirmed the need for maintaining close cooperation with each other on issues of mutual interests, including UN reforms.

UNI