Chinese vice-minister of the international department of the Communist Party of China, Sun Haiyan, on Wednesday said that China could be one of Bangladesh鈥檚 most trusted special friends.
鈥楤angladesh is situated in a very special strategic geographical location. You have a strong neighbour. It is necessary for Bangladesh to have amicable and reliable neighbours who are stable, believe in peace, peaceful coexistence, and willing to share development opportunities without interfering in each other鈥檚 internal affairs,鈥� the Chinese leader said.
During a meeting with a Bangladeshi delegation, comprising leaders from eight political parties, students, scholars and journalists at the IDCPC office in Beijing, she also expressed China鈥檚 desire to assist Bangladesh in returning to its path of rapid development.
Based on this, she said that the people of Bangladesh were seeking friends. 鈥楢lthough you try to maintain good relations with all countries, we believe that among all these friends, you have several special ones that you trust more, and perhaps you trust the most. I understand China can be that one,鈥� she said.
Sun Haiyan also said that unlike many other countries, China鈥檚 foreign and internal policies had remained stable and unchanged.
鈥業n the coming months, as you prepare for elections, reform and the formation of a new government, we will continue our support and bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh. The sooner, the better, to help Bangladesh back to the fast evolving track,鈥� she said.
The CPC leader urged the Bangladeshi politicians to identify the areas in which they needed cooperation from China.
鈥榃e want you to explore more areas of cooperation鈥hen you will form a government, identify in which areas we can work together for your people and your interests. We can figure out some ways that will benefit both sides and help each other develops, fostering common prosperity. This is our value,鈥� she observed.
The vice-minister said that China had been extending cooperation in many areas of Bangladesh. 鈥榃e can do many more things. If I get the opportunity to visit your country next time, I hope to see a better Dhaka,鈥� she told the delegation.
Earlier on Tuesday, the 21-member delegation, led by the BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, travelled to China for an 11-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.
Sun Haiyan stated that China had been cooperating with Bangladesh鈥檚 current interim government following the political changeover after the July-August mass uprising.
鈥榃e all know the international landscape is transforming drastically almost every day. We have noticed that Bangladesh鈥檚 internal situation has changed significantly over the past year. We believe that, no matter what happens, our ties will remain strong and stable,鈥� she said.
Sun Haiyan also said that the CPC had long been engaging with political parties in Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
鈥業t鈥檚 important to establish people-to-people relationships. But, I believe that party-to-party relationships play a very important and positive role in ensuring a strong relationship with the people. Because, each political party represents a certain group of people and has significant influence in the government. So, we focus on ties with political parties in Bangladesh to further enhance our bilateral cooperation,鈥� she said.
She also added that people-to-people ties would continue to grow, and mutual cooperation would remain stable and improve if the CPC and political parties in Bangladesh developed a strong understanding and trust.
鈥楾his is a critical moment to understand each other鈥檚 needs in order to strengthen our relationship further. Apart from development, we can work on addressing the needs of the people in our two countries,鈥� the vice-minister said.
She said that both countries would work to ensure their mutual interests. 鈥榃e hope that the new Bangladesh can stand with its own characteristics and adopt policies based on the needs of your people, not the needs of other nations. You should not simply copy the policies and systems of other countries. Your system should be established based on the needs of your people.鈥�
Highlighting China鈥檚 affordable medical services and expert doctors, the CPC leader said, 鈥榃e can help you reform your medical service system by sharing our expertise, knowledge, and experience.鈥�
BNP standing committee member Moyeen Khan hoped that this visit would renew the ties between the people of China and Bangladesh.
鈥楾he relationship between the people of China and Bangladesh is historic. We hope these ties will continue not for just one more decade, but for thousands of years. This is my sincere wish,鈥� he said.
Dr Moyeen expressed his heartfelt gratitude to China for its cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in three major areas.
鈥楾he first is the China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, which was the first bridge constructed in Bangladesh over the River Buriganga with China鈥檚 support. Now, there are many bridges and large infrastructures, but that bridge was the first major infrastructure built in Bangladesh with your help,鈥� he told the meeting.
The second, he mentioned, was China鈥檚 support for Bangladesh鈥檚 garment sector. 鈥榋iaur Rahman introduced the garment sector in Bangladesh with the concept and idea from China. After China, despite being a small country, Bangladesh is now the second-largest garment supplier in the world.鈥�
鈥楲astly, Ziaur Rahman also initiated a strategic relationship with China. After the liberation war, when our armed forces were virtually destroyed, China fully supported the reconstruction of our military,鈥� he said.
For future collaboration, Dr Moyeen proposed three additional areas of cooperation for when a new democratic government is formed in Bangladesh through a credible election.
He recalled that during Chinese President Xi Jinping鈥檚 visit to Bangladesh eight years ago, he had promised substantial economic support for the country.
鈥楤ut, the previous government could only utilise 25-30 percent of the financial support promised by the Chinese President over the past eight years. We hope this financial assistance and cooperation will be revitalised in the coming months, which will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh,鈥� the BNP leader said.
鈥楾he second area of support we seek from your country is not the finished garment products, but the raw materials for garments. We want to learn from you how to produce garment raw materials, including yarn. We seek your help in setting up this industry in Bangladesh so that we can produce raw materials for finished garment products. If we can produce these initial raw materials, we鈥檒l be able to supply finished garments at a very competitive price,鈥� he said.
Finally, Dr Moyeen urged China to assist Bangladesh in developing its AI industry. 鈥業 would also like to propose setting up at least one electric vehicle production factory in Bangladesh with your cooperation.鈥�
He also called for strengthening strategic cooperation with China, considering Bangladesh鈥檚 geopolitical location.