Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Beijing yesterday on a 4-day bilateral visit invited by her Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping. The visit would unquestionably give a boost to bi-lateral relations between Bangladesh and China elevating to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" from the previous "strategic partnership" ties.
However, during her stay in Beijing , PM is scheduled to have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside a delegation level bilateral meeting with her Chinese Counterpart Li Qiang on July 10. Both countries have been reported to ink as many as 20 to 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the premiers four-day visit. In addition, Rohingya repatriation issue would also get a top priority in Beijing since Chinas role is crucial in commencing the repatriation of the forcibly displaced people from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
Individual MoUs on cooperation in economic and banking sectors, trade and investment, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh and people-to-people contact are expectedly to be signed.
We consider the PMs visit to China as a pivotal one after assuming office earlier this year, and taking place against the backdrop of her recent visit to Delhi. China is Bangladeshs largest trading partner and the second-largest source of foreign investment.
As witnessed from the characteristics of our bi-lateral ties, economic and trade cooperation between Bangladesh and China comes with no political strings attached nor demands for special privileges. Significant results have been achieved over the past eight years since Bangladesh joined the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative). Moreover, Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to join the BRI.
Nevertheless, currently over 670 Chinese companies now operate in Bangladesh and they have been involved in construction of 7 railways, 12 highways, 21 bridges and 31 power station projects . We only expect this number to grow bigger with increased economic and development ties.
Needs be mentioned - In the light of contemporary circumstances, geopolitics is likely to feature in one-to-one discussions between the two leaders. It is right on this point we would urge domestic and regional media industries to refrain from politicize and misinterpreting the PMs ongoing visit to China. Thus, the visit should not be assessed from a politically biased point of view.
As for our next-door neighbour and historical ally India , we see absolutely no reason for any concern. India is a time-tested political friend of Bangladesh, and China is a friend necessary for Bangladesh to attain its developmental goals.
Both India and China are our trusted and proven partners, and as an independent and sovereign state it is crucial for Bangladesh to continue its democratic journey and economic development.
