China Sunday offered to assist Bangladesh in installing nuclear power plant on the China-Pakistan cooperation model, as the country is in a crying need of electricity to feed an insatiable demand, reports UNB.

"China and Bangladesh signed agreement on peaceful use of nuclear power in 2005, which clears the way for our civil nuclear cooperation," Chinese Ambassador Zheng Qing Dian said a meet-the-reporters interaction sponsored by Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) at its conference hall in the city.

The present administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a pledge to make operational the dormant Roopur Nuclear Power Plant to meet the growing demand for electricity.

"The Chinese government supports the nuclear enterprises to carry out cooperation in nuclear power, and we welcome Bangladesh side to further communicate on this issue," the Ambassador said.

He said that the cooperation could follow the China-Pakistan cooperation model.

DRU President Shamim Ahmad chaired the meet-the-reporters function while its general secretary Pathik Saha spoke about the business of Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Asked about Bangladesh-China (Kunming) highway link through Myanmar, the diplomat said China takes an active attitude on this project as it will facilitate personal exchanges and trade among countries in this region.

Asked about a yawning trade gape between Dhaka and Beijing, Ambassador Zheng said China takes seriously its trade imbalance with Bangladesh and has no intention to pursue trade surplus. China has, therefore, actively adopted measures to increase imports from Bangladesh.

He also said that China had sent delegations to purchase goods from Bangladesh for several consecutive years. In 2008, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce organised companies to buy goods from Bangladesh, and the two sides signed US$ 76 million worth of contracts and letters of intent.

Under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, he said, China also offered to Bangladesh concessions covering 1,717 eight-digit tariff headings and special concessions to another 162 eight-digit tariff headings.