Dhaka, 08 April 2020:

The Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen over  telephone yesterday.

During the telephonic conversation, Dr. Momen told his Chinese counterpart the possibility of bringing an expert team of technicians from China to support ‘Sheikh Russel Gastro-liver Institute and Hospital’ which has been declared a dedicated facility in Dhaka for Coronavirus treatment. He also discussed the issue of the possibility of accepting Chinese expert medical team comprising of doctors, nurses and technicians to handle Coronavirus patients, treat the Coronavirus infected patients and also provide training to Bangladeshi medical professionals. He also discussed the possibility of importing ventilation machines from China during this critical moment of the Coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh requested the Chinese Foreign Minister to consider deferral of payments against all Back to Back Letter of Credit (LC) opened in favour of Chinese suppliers for one year. The Chinese Foreign Minister responded positively and assured him of their full support to Bangladesh.

While recalling the cordial meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Xi, Dr. Momen requested his Chinese counterpart to help early repatriation of Rohignya to Myanmar as promised. At this point, Foreign Minister Wang Yi felt the urge of early repatriation and assured to extend Chinese support to that end. The two Foreign Ministers also reiterated their support for each other in the international arena.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed gratitude and thanks to the Bangladesh Government for its valued contribution of Masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves etc. during the critical moments of Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan city and other parts of China. In exchange, Foreign Minister Dr. Momen expressed gratitude and thanks to the Government of China for their contribution of Coronavirus Testing Kits, Personal Protection Equipment and Infrared Thermometer. He also mentioned the contribution of ‘Jack Ma Foundation’ and ‘Alibaba Foundation’. Dr. Momen extended his sincere appreciation to the Government of China for taking utmost care of Bangladeshi students in Wuhan and other parts of China in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. He expressed Bangladesh's solidarity with the China government for observing 4th April as the national mourning day in China. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Momen was pleased to receive a call from the Chinese Foreign Minister and spoke for 45 minutes. Chinese Foreign Minister reassured Dr. Momen and promised to work together to overcome newer challenges. The two Foreign Ministers ended with the good wishes for both the countries.