DHAKA: Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia sought Chinese cooperation in establishing direct road and rail links between Bangladesh and China and construction of the planned Sonadia deep-sea port.

The ex-PM made the request when she paid a courtesy call on visiting Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinpeng at his hotel suite Tuesday.

She also emphasized strengthening the bilateral economic, military, political and cultural relations between the two countries.

The Chinese leader assured Zia of all help and assistance, he party leaders told journalists after the meeting.

Briefing reporters after the talks, BNP Secretary-General Delwar Hossain said regional and international issues of common concern also came for discussion in the meeting of the two leaders that lasted 35 minutes.

The Chinese Vice-President laid emphasis on strengthening relations between BNP and the Communist Party of China.

Xi Jinpeng flew in Dhaka Monday on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh.

He had official talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday during which Hasina sought Chinese help and cooperation in establishing direct road, rail and air links between the two countries.

Hasina also sought Chinese assistance in construction of the Sonadia deep-sea port, a major project Bangladesh has planned to turn the coast of the Bay of Bengal into a regional shipping hub.

The Chinese leader was scheduled to call on President Zillur Rahman and parliament speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate later in the day before leaving Dhaka.

The Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh, BNP Secretary-General Khondaker Delwar Hossain, BNP leader and former chief of army Lt. Gen. Mahbubur Rahman, BNP Standing Committee member Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, adviser to the chairperson Reaz Rahman, Sabeuddin Ahmed, vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Senior Joint Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Press Secretary to Khaleda Zia Maruf Kamal Khan were present at the meeting.

BDST 1130,  June 15, 2010
MM/AK/KL/EH/MUA