Showing posts with label Belt and Road (BRI). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belt and Road (BRI). Show all posts

Letter to the President of China on the Eve of Chinese New Year 2023




22 January 2023 

H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping 
Honorable President of the People's Republic of China 

Copy to
  • Mr. Li Keqiang, Honorable Premier, People's Republic of China
  • Mr. Wang Wentao, Honorable Minister of Commerce, People's Republic of China
  • Mr. Wang Yi, Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China
  • Ms. Hu Xiaolian, Party Secretary & Chairwoman, Export-Import Bank of China
  • Mr. Liu Shoufeng, International Business Dept, Export-Import Bank of China
  • Mr. Yao Wen, Honorable Ambassador, Embassy of China in Bangladesh
  • Mr. Song Yang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of China in Bangladesh

Dear Sir 
Wish you a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Spring Festival 2023! 

On behalf of the Civil Society of Bangladesh, we wish the Government and the people of China, including those who are living here in Bangladesh, a happy and fulfilling time of celebration and friendship as you renew the bonds between friends and reunite with family during this festival. 

As we enter the New Year, we are also passing 47 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and China, and China emerged as the largest foreign direct investment source of Bangladesh. It is also ranked top among foreign investors, with 104 investors in eight Export-processing Zones of Bangladesh. Chinese companies are currently implementing 27 projects in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

On this occasion, we would like to recall the letter from the Economic and Commercial Counsellor (ECCO)’s letter to the Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh sent on 2 February 2021 stating that China would no longer consider projects with high pollution and high energy consumption, such as coal mining, and coal-fired power stations. We also recall the speech of President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly on 21 September 2021, “China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad”. We appreciate the journey of China in the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. 

China is embracing a new era of clean energy through innovative construction, cheaper technology, and systematic changes to its energy infrastructure. In this process, the country has built the world’s largest renewable energy generation system with a capacity of 7,142 tWh, and becoming an important force in promoting global green energy development. China is also the largest investor in renewables in the world. 

So, we are eagerly waiting to see that the Government of the People's Republic of China has taken necessary actions against the human rights violation at project sites (e.g. S.S. Power Limited), stop financing coal-fired power plants (e.g. Second Phase of Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant Project) and boost up financing for renewables especially Solar and wind power plants so that Bangladesh can achieve the target of implementing 100% renewables by 2050 in line with the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP). 

Happy Chinese New Year 2023, once again!

Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam                                 Hasan Mehedi
Convener                                                                   Member Secretary
Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED)

China Exim Bank exits Payra Coal Power Plant (Phase-II)

5 June 2022
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According to an anonymous source of the Power Division, the Export–Import Bank of China (CHEXIM) has cancelled the deal of investing USD 1,547 million for the second phase of the Payra 1320 MW Coal Power Plant. 

The Bangladesh China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) came to an agreement with CHEXIM in 2021 to finance USD 1,547 million for 15 years at LIBOR + 2.98% interest rate. The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) approved the terms and conditions of the loan and gave a sovereign guarantee in December 2021.  

The estimated budget of the power plant is USD 2,063.60 million in which CHEXIM was supposed to provide an external credit of 75% while the sponsor company, BCPCL, will invest the rest of the amount as equity.  

Meanwhile, BCPCL awarded an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract of USD 1,440 million to the consortium of China National Energy Engineering and Construction Company Limited (CECC) and First Northeast Electric Power Engineering Company Limited (NEPC) who were awarded the EPC contract for Payra Coal Power Plant (Phase-I) in 2016. 

Getting the information, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has already suggested that North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) submit a revised Development Project Proforma (DPP) for consideration of the Government to invest from revenue, according to the source. 

The source also said that, the China Exim Bank informed the Economic Relations Division (ERD) about Chinese president Xi Jinping’s announcement of not building new coal-fired power plants abroad. 

It is to note that BCPCL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of NWPGCL and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC). BCPCL received USD 1,984 million earlier to build the first phase of the Payra 1320 MW Coal Power Plant.

China-Bangladesh Deal under BRI on 14 October 2016

Both Chinese and Bangladeshi institutions, including private companies, signed some 13 non-binding agreements under Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) during Bangladesh visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agreements are:
  1. Banshkhali 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Rajakhal:
    China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): Undisclosed
  2. Boalkhali 660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): USD 861.0 million
  3. Construction of International Cricket Complex at Purbachal in Dhaka: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh: Amount undisclosed
  4. Construction of Sheikh Kamal Football and Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh: Amount undisclosed
  5. Daudkandi 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (PowerChina) with Meghna Electricity Generation Company Limited (MEGCL): USD 1.7 billion
  6. Designing and Building Double Line between Joydevpur - Ishwardi section of Bangladesh Railway: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Bangladesh Railways: USD 1.5 billion
  7. Dhaka Safe City Project for Bangladesh Police: China Electronics Technology Group (CETG) International with Ministry of Home of Bangladesh: USD 620 million
  8. Establishing Digital Connectivity: China Railway International Group with Department of ICT of Bangladesh: USD 1.0 billion
  9. Gazaria 350 MW Coal-fired Power Plant:  Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (PowerChina) and Hubei Hongyuan Power Engineering Company Limited (HYPEC) with Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) of Bangladesh: USD 433 million
  10. Investment on Renewable Power Projects and Power Industry Park: China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA): 2.8 billion
  11. Mirsarai 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: Zhejiang Jindun Holding Company Limited with Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA): USD 2.5 billion 
  12. Sustainable River Management in Bangladesh: Sinohydro Corporation and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB): USD 1.5 billion
  13. Teesta 200 MW Solar Power Plant: TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis Company Limited (TXSCL) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): USD 400.0 million


List of Projects under BRI in Bangladesh

  1. Acquisition of Equity Stake in Dhaka Stock Exchange
  2. Akhaura-Sylhet Rail Line Expansion Project
  3. Bangabandhu (Karnaphuli) River Tunnel
  4. Banshkhali 600 MW (Beximco) Coal Power Plant
  5. Banshkhali 1224 MW (SSPL) Coal-fired Power Plant
  6. Barapukuria 275 MW Coal-fired Power Plant (Unit-3)
  7. Barisal 350 MW (BEPCL) Coal-fired Power Plant
  8. Barisal-Bhola (Tentulia-Kalabadar) Bridge
  9. Barisal-Kuakata Highway Project
  10. Boalkhali 660 MW (Beximco) Coal Power Plant
  11. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Dhaleswari River) Bridge (6th)
  12. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Arial Khan River) Bridge (7th)
  13. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Kacha River) Bridge (8th)
  14. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Boga) Bridge (9th)
  15. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Mongla) Bridge (10th)
  16. China-Bangladesh Friendship (Jhapjhapia) Bridge (11th)
  17. China-Bangladesh International Exhibition Centre
  18. Chinese Economic & Industrial Zone (CEIZ)
  19. Substation construction of Bangladesh Television
  20. Cox's Bazar - Sitakunda Marine Drive Expressway
  21. Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant
  22. Daudkandi 1320 MW (Meghna) Coal Power Plant
  23. Dhaka-Chittagong High Speed Railway Project
  24. Dhaka-Ashulia East-West Elevated Expressway
  25. Dhaka Surface Water Treatment Plant
  26. Dhaka-Sylhet-Tamabil Highway Project
  27. Dhirasram Railway Station Inland Container Depot
  28. Dighipara 1000 MW (NWPGCL) Coal Power Plant
  29. DPDC Area Power System Network Expansion
  30. Gazaria (RPCL) 350 MW Coal Power Plant
  31. Grid Network Strengthening and Upgradation
  32. Joydebpur - Ishwardi Rail Line Expansion Project
  33. Joydebpur - Mymensingh Rail Line Expansion Project
  34. Kodda 150 MW Dual Fuel Power Plant
  35. Maheshkhali 1320 MW (BPDB-CHDHK) Coal Power Plant
  36. Maheshkhali 1320 MW (BPDB-SEPCO) Coal Power Plant
  37. Maheshkhali Single Point Mooring & Oil Storage
  38. Mirsarai 1320 MW (BEZA) Coal Power Plant
  39. Mirsarai (Bangabandhu) Economic Zone
  40. Modernization and Rehabilitation of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation
  41. Mongla Port Expansion and Modernization Project
  42. National ICT Infrastructure Network Development
  43. Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project
  44. Padma Bridge Rail Link project
  45. Padma (Jalshadia) Water Treatment Plant
  46. Patuakhali 1320 MW (APSCL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-1)
  47. Patuakhali 1320 MW (APSCL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-2)
  48. Patuakhali 1320 MW (RNPL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-1)
  49. Patuakhali 1320 MW (RNPL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-2)
  50. Payra 1320 MW (BCPCL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-1)
  51. Payra 1320 MW (BCPCL) Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-2)
  52. Payra Sea Port Infrastructure Development (2 components)
  53. Phulbari 2000 MW (GCM) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1)
  54. Phulbari 2000 MW (GCM) Coal Power Plant (Phase-2)
  55. Phulbari 2000 MW (GCM) Coal Power Plant (Phase-3)
  56. Rajshahi WASA Water Treatment Plant
  57. Saidpur 150 MW HSD Based Power Plant
  58. Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory
  59. Shikalbaha 150 MW Peaking Power Plant
  60. Sirajganj 225 MW (NWPGCL) Power Plant (Unit-3)
  61. Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration
  62. Telecommunication Network Modernization
  63. Telecommunication Network Upgradation from 2.5G to 3G
  64. Tier IV National Data Center Project (4TDC)

List of Chinese SOEs under SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council)

There are 96 State-owned Enterprises (SOE) under State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) now. But 94 SOEs found from the SASAC website. The Enterprises are given bellow:
  1. Aero Engine Corporation of China
  2. Aluminum Corporation of China
  3. Ansteel Group
  4. Aviation Industry Corporation of China Limited
  5. BGRIMM Technology Group
  6. China Academy of Building Research
  7. China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology Group Company Limited
  8. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited
  9. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
  10. China Aviation Supplies Holding Company
  11. China Baowu Steel Group Corporation
  12. China Chengtong Holdings Group Company Limited
  13. China Coal Technology & Engineering Group
  14. China Communications Construction Company Limited
  15. China Construction Technology Consulting Company Limited
  16. China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited
  17. China Datang Corporation
  18. China Eastern Air Holding Company
  19. China Electronic Technology Group Corporation
  20. China Electronics Corporation
  21. China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group
  22. China Energy Corporation
  23. China Energy Engineering Group Company Limited (Energy China)
    • Electric Power Planning & Engineering Institute Company Limited
    • CEEG Asset Management Company Limited
    • China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC)
      • China Gezhouba Group Corporation Limited (China Gezhouba Group Company Limited)
      • China Power Construction Engineering Consulting Company Limited
      • CEEG Equipment Company Limited
      • CEEG Finance Company Limited
      • CEEG Financing Leasing Company Limited
      • CEEG International Company Limited
      • CEEG Investment Company Limited
      • CEEG Northern Construction & Investment Company Limited
      • CEEG Eastern Construction & Investment Company Limited
      • CEEG Southern Construction & Investment Company Limited
      • CEEG Northwest Construction & Investment Company Limited
      • CEEG Planning & Engineering Company Limited
      • CEEG Science & Technology Development Company Limited
  24. China FAW Group Company Limited
  25. China First Heavy Industries
  26. China Forestry Group Corporation
  27. China General Nuclear Power Corporation
  28. China General Technology (Group) Holding Company Limited
  29. China Grain Reserve Corporation
  30. China Huadian Corporation Limited (CHDC)
    • China Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited (CHDHK)
  31. China Hualu Group Company Limited
  32. China Huaneng Group
  33. China Information and Communication Technologies Group Corporation (CICT)
  34. China International Engineering Consulting Corporation
  35. China International Intellectech Company Limited
  36. China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group
  37. China Merchants Group
  38. China Metallurgical Geology Bureau
  39. China Minmetals Corporation
  40. China Mobile Communications Group Company Limited
  41. China National Administration of Coal Geology
  42. China National Agricultural Development Group Company Limited
  43. China National Aviation Fuel Group Limited
  44. China National Aviation Holding Company
  45. China National Building Materials Group Company Limited
  46. China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Corporation
  47. China National Chemical Corporation
  48. China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation
  49. China National Coal Group Corporation
  50. China National Gold Group Company Limited
  51. China National Machinery Industry Corporation Limited
  52. China National Nuclear Corporation
  53. China National Offshore Oil Corporation
  54. China National Petroleum Corporation
  55. China National Salt Industry Corporation
  56. China National Travel Service (Hong Kong) Group Corporation
  57. China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Company Limited
  58. China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco Group)
  59. China Petrochemical Corporation
  60. China Poly Group Corporation
  61. China Railway Construction Corporation Limited
  62. China Railway Group Limited
  63. China Railway Materials Company Limited
  64. China Railway Signal & Communication (Group) Corporation Limited
  65. China Reform Holdings Corporation Limited
  66. China Resources (Holdings) Company Limited
  67. China Silk Corporation
  68. China South Industries Group Corporation
  69. China Southern Air Holding Company
  70. China Southern Power Grid
  71. China State Construction Engineering Corporation
  72. China Telecommunications Corporation
  73. China Three Gorges Corporation
  74. China TravelSky Holding Company Limited
  75. China United Network Communications Group Company Limited
  76. China XD Group
  77. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Limited
  78. CRRC Corporation Limited
  79. Dongfang Electric Corporation
  80. Dongfeng Motor Corporation
  81. General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals Group Company Limited
  82. Harbin Electric Corporation
  83. Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited
  84. Nokia Bell Company Limited
  85. Overseas Chinese City Group
  86. Potevio Company Limited
  87. Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina)
  88. Sinochem Group
  89. Sinopharm Group
  90. Sinosteel Corporation
  91. State Development & Investment Corp Limited
  92. State Grid Corporation of China
  93. State Power Investment Corporation Limited
  94. Xinxing Cathay International Group Company Limited
Source
  1. SASAC (2020). "Directory". State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), Beijing: Undated. Retrieved from http://en.sasac.gov.cn/directorynames.html accessed on 9 November 2020

International Coalition for Green Development on the Belt and Road (ICGDBR)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) or UN Environment started a process to develop International Coalition for Green Development on the Belt and Road (ICGDBR) in response of Belt and Road (B&R) or One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative of China after a subcommittee meeting and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UNEP and Chinese Government. The UN Environment has already undertaken a Green Belt and Road Strategy for the period of 2018-2020.

Now the UNEP has invited 41 countries (Ministry of Environment or Equivalent), 8 International Agencies, 7 Chinese Ministries, 29 Chinese Academies & Research Institutions, 18 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), 47 Business & Industries and 8 Financial Institutions to join the coalition. The list of invitees are as follows:

Ministries of Environment or Equivalent
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41 Countries: Austria, Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, The Netherlands, New Zealand, The Kingdom of Norway, Pakistan, The Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), Uzbekistan and Vietnam

[Strategically important neighbors of China like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea is excluded from the invitation list]

Ministries from China
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7 Chinese Ministries: International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA), Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MOIIT), Ministry of Natural Resources (MONR), Ministry of Transport (MOT) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)

International Organizations
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8 International Organizations: Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Nuclear Energy Agency of OECD (NEA-OECD): 

Academy & Research Institute
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29 Chinese Institutions: Beijing Normal University (BNU), The Charhar Institute (TCI), China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD under MOHURD, China), China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Center (CAEC under MEE, China), China Information Safety Academy (CISA), China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), China International Technology Transfer Center (CITT), Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning (CAEP under MEE, China), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES under MEE, China), Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (CIFS), Development Research Center of the State Council of China (DRCSCC), Energy Research Institute (ERI under MEE, China), Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO under MEE, China), Jilin University (JLU), Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIES under MEE, China), Nanjing University (NJU), National Development Research Center, China (NDRC), National Geomatics Center of China (NGCC), Peking University (PKU), Renmin University (RMU), Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES under MEE, China), Tongji University (TJU), Transport Planning and Research Institute (TPRI under MOT, China), Tsinghua University (TGU), University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), World Resources Institute (WRI)

Civil Society Organizations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Civil Society Organizations: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Bloomberg Foundation (BF), China Banking Association (CBA), China Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD), China Ecological Civilization Research and Promotion Association (CECRPA), China Environment Chamber of Commerce (CECC) of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), Energy Foundation (EF), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Qiaonyu Foundation (QF), Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), SEE Conservation (SEE), Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation (MCF), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Wetlands International (WI), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Business & Industries
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47 Companies: Alibaba, Beijing SDL Technology (BST), The Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (BRETET - Shenzhen), Bossco, Broad Air Group (BAG), BYD, Canvest Environmental Protection Group (CEPG), China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), China-ASEAN Demonstration Base for Environmental Technology and Industry Cooperation (CADBETIC - Yixing), China-ASEAN Demonstration Base for Environmental Technology and Industry Cooperation (CADBETIC - Wuzhou), China Baowu Steel Group Corporation (CBSGC), China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEPG), China Everbright International Limited (CEIL), China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), China Resources, China Xinxing Group (CXG), Dahua Technology, Delta Aluminum, Dongguan Water Investment Group (DWIG), Elion Group, Esquel Group of Companies (EGC), Feili Group, Guangzhou Goaland Energy Conservation Tech (GGECT), Huawei, Hubei Carbon Exchange Center (HCE), Hunan Yonker Environmental Protection (HYEP), IER Environmental Protection and Engineering Technology Company (IEPETC), iSoftStone, JdCom, Poten Enviro, Shenlian Environmental Protection Group (SEPG), Shenzhen Energy, Shenzhen Institute of Building Research (SIBR), Sinopec, Sound Group, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), SunEee, Tsinghua Tongfang, Twenty-First Century Science and Technology Development Company (TCSTDC), Unis, Wal-Mart, Xu Wei New District (CECW), Yingshi Technology, Yunnan Water Investment Company (YWIC), Zhongguancun Demonstrative Park on Environmental Technology (ZDPET) 

Bank & Financial Institution
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8 Financial Institutions: Ant Financial Services Group (AFSG), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China Development Bank (CDB), The Export Import Bank of China (Exim Bank, China), Industrial Bank Company Limited (IBCL), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), People's Bank of China (PBC), Silkroad Foundation
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