DHAKA: Liu Yandong, vice-premier of China, arrived in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon in a three-day official visit.

The aircraft, carrying the Chinese vice-PM and her entourage, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:15pm.

Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali welcomed her at the airport.

During her tour, no bi-lateral meeting will be held due to the absence of any official of her equal status in Bangladesh.

Liu Yandong, individually, will call on the President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury.

However, the main talks will be held with the Bangladesh premier.

During the visit, the two countries would sign six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), said sources. Three agreements will be signed in public sector and the other three will be signed in private sector.

In public sector, three MoUs will be signed on education, information and import-duty issues. In private sector, a MoU will be signed between Dhaka University and Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Besides, China financial assistance in building a tunnel under river Karnaphuli in Chittagong, the Dhaka-Chittagong Railway Expressway Construction and Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory projects is expected to be discussed during the upcoming visit of Chinese vice-premier to Bangladesh.

China's financing for the proposed deep seaport at Sonadia of Bay of Bengal is also likely to be tabled, said sources concerned.

Liu Yandong, the politburo member of the Communist Party of China, is considered as one of the most powerful women politicians in the world.

Earlier on March 16 in 2013, she became vice-prime minister of China.

In her upcoming visit, the vice-premier will discuss the projects of multimillion dollars of investment proposal, expected to be signed during the visit of Chinese premier Li Keqiang in Bangladesh.

Besides, Bangladesh will also table the proposal of the economic corridor. The issue of road and rail communications between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China is likely to be discussed with the China vice-premier.

During her visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh can request the vice-PM to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries.

Currently, Bangladesh and China hold a market of more than 10 billion dollars where the quantity of imports from China is higher.

Moreover, the economic corridor among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM-EC) will be tabled during her tour in Bangladesh.

This year, Bangladesh and China are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, various programs are underway in both countries. As part of the celebration, Chinese premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in September.

The Chinese premier is also expected to open the construction work of Karnaphuli tunnel. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also set to visit China this year.

BDST: 1814 HRS, MAY 24, 2015
RS

** Chinese vice-premier due in afternoon