Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS) – Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today announced that China has decided to designate two to three hospitals in Kunming, the nearest Chinese city from Dhaka, for Bangladeshis who face problems in obtaining Indian visa for medical treatments.

“We were looking for an alternative destination for medical treatment as visa problems have been persisting with India. We believe this is a viable alternative given the issues with Indian visas,” he told reporters while sharing the outcomes of his recent China visit.

The adviser said deputy governor of Yunnan with Kunming being its capital traveled to Beijing to meet him and conveyed the decision to dedicate the hospitals for Bangladeshi patients.

“I requested them (Chinese authority) to simplify the visa procedure and reduce the visa fees for Bangladeshi treatment seekers,” Hossain said.

The adviser revealed that the Chinese government has agreed to construct a large public hospital on government-owned land in Purbachal on the outskirts of Dhaka.

“We will provide the land (for the purpose) as soon as possible,” he said adding in addition to the public hospital a plan was chalked up to establish a tertiary-level hospital under public-private partnership (PPP) with China.

Hossain was on an official tour to Beijing from January 20 to 24 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi when he held a bilateral meeting with him and visited Shanghai to meet with Chinese business community.

“We discussed all our bilateral matters, including development projects and trade and commerce,” said Hossain adding he requested Beijing to lower the interest rate on loans and extend the loan repayment period from 20 years to 30 years.

He said the Chinese foreign minister “assured me of extending the loan repayment period and promised to look into the request for a reduction in interest rates”.

Hossain said during the talks he raised Dhaka’s “serious concerns” regarding a dam on the Brahmaputra, a trans-boundary river that originated in China and enters into Bangladesh through India.

“We have also requested China to share the studies they are conducting on this matter with us.”

The adviser said the Chinese side assured him their actions would not affect the water flow into Bangladesh.

Asked if he had any discussion with his counterpart about prospective Chinese assistance for the Teesta River Project, Hossain answered in the negative saying, “there was no discussion on the Teesta”.

The adviser, however, said both Dhaka and Beijing agreed to renew the bilateral Water Resource Management Agreement following an ongoing review for potential modifications for the renewed deal.

“We have shared our observations with Beijing, and they have shared theirs with us. Finalizing the draft will take some time, but it will be completed,” he said.

Hossain confirmed that an memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on exchanging hydropower-related information on the 'Yaluzangbu-Jamuna' River during his visit.