Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held talks with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on Wednesday in Antalya, Türkiye, focusing on increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh and deeper cooperation on climate change.
The bilateral meeting took place at 4:30 p.m. local time at the conference venue on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).
Discussions centered on issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on expanding Chinese investment and strengthening joint efforts to address the impacts of climate change.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir also attended the meeting.
In recent months, Bangladesh agreed to the Chinese plan to build a corridor via Myanmar and has agreed to give Beijing contracts to develop the Mongla Port, build a drone factory, rebuild two airports, and explore gas and oil.
World leaders are viewing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a “transformative leader” following Bangladesh’s democratic transition, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Wednesday.
“They are describing him as a transformative leader during courtesy meetings and bilateral talks,” he told a press conference at the Bangladesh Pavilion on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
Humaiun Kobir said leaders were taking note of Tarique’s democratic mandate and his role in leading a country with a population of around 180 to 200 million people.
The Prime Minister attended the opening and plenary sessions of the World Leaders’ Summit on Wednesday and held courtesy meetings with the presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia, the prime ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait, the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Mayor of London and the president of the Global Zero Waste Foundation.
He also held bilateral meetings with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Humaiun Kobir said the meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere, with the leaders congratulating Tarique on Bangladesh’s democratic transition and his electoral mandate.
They also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral ties and working with Bangladesh on issues of international importance, he said.
Engagements with world leaders
During his meeting with the Brazilian President, Prime Minister Tarique invited him to visit Bangladesh, and the invitation was accepted, the state minister said. The Maldivian President also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh soon.
The Syrian President sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in rebuilding his country, particularly in development, investment, skilled manpower and employment generation, he said.
Humaiun Kobir said talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister covered regional stability, the situation in the Middle East and other issues of mutual interest.
During his meeting with the OIC Secretary General, Tarique reaffirmed Bangladesh’s firm position on Palestine and its continued support for a two-state solution, he said.
The Mayor of London had expressed interest in meeting Tarique, who had lived in London for many years, and they held a courtesy meeting, the state minister said.
He said the meeting with the Kuwaiti Prime Minister focused on the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and ways to expand investment and economic partnership.