The Chinese government has expressed interest in working more closely with a future elected government in Bangladesh, signalling its expectations to strengthen bilateral cooperation through a deeper and more sincere engagement, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday.
Coming from a five-day visit to China in a BNP delegation, Fakhrul on Monday said that their party had requested economic support from the Chinese government 鈥� including extended loan repayment deadlines, reduced fees, and possible grants 鈥� and that Chinese officials responded positively and with sympathy.
Fakhrul was speaking at a press conference at the BNP chair鈥檚 office at Gulshan in the capital Dhaka.
A nine-member BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul, visited China from July 23 to 27 at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.
During the visit, the BNP delegation held wide-ranging discussions with Chinese officials, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across key sectors, said Fakhrul.
The talks emphasised a greater Chinese involvement in Bangladesh鈥檚 infrastructure development, digital technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, communication, agriculture, SME growth, blue economy, and technology transfer, he further said.
He said that the BNP reaffirmed its unwavering support for the One-China policy while expressing admiration for China鈥檚 development under President Xi Jinping and appreciation for the Belt and Road Initiative.
On the Rohingya issue, according to Fakhrul, the BNP urged China to play a more active role in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the refugees to Myanmar while China responded with assurances of continued engagement with the Myanmar government in this regard.
The Teesta River project issue was also discussed, with the BNP delegation outlining Bangladesh鈥檚 needs, about which China responded positively, he said.
Fakhrul said that any future proposals from China on the matter would be considered favourably if the BNP assumes power.
He said that the health cooperation was also highlighted, with a review of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital project and proposals for land-based international connectivity.
Agricultural development, too, featured in the discussions, particularly regarding storage and export opportunities for produces from northern Bangladesh.
The BNP secretary general said that the ongoing political dialogue was also part of the agenda, with the CPC inviting BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman to visit China and expressing a desire to work with an elected government.
A proposal for a two-term political exchange memorandum of understanding was welcomed by the BNP, Fakhrul added.
The delegation members, including BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and Selima Rahman; BNP chair鈥檚 advisory council member Ismail Zabiullah, Sukomal Barua, Zahir Uddin Swapan, BNP media cell convenor Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, and the chair鈥檚 personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, were present at the press conference.
