China to continue support to Bangladesh's development: Wang Yi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said his country will continue its support to the development of Bangladesh, describing Dhaka as their “strategic development partner.”

The Chinese foreign minister said this during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban here, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters after the meeting, reports UNB.

"China will continue to the support to the development of Bangladesh as a strategic development partner,” the press secretary quoted Wang as telling the premier.

Wang said Beijing will support Dhaka on all its issues in the international forums too, according to the press secretary.

The Chinese foreign minister said Bangladesh made an unprecedented development under the leadership of PM Hasina. He said China will also extend support to Bangladesh for the development of Digital Economy.

At the meeting, the prime minister sought the China's help to resolve the Rohingya issue, saying the displaced people are an extra burden for Bangladesh.

In reply, the Chinese minister said his country expects that the issue will be solved through the bilateral discussions between Bangladesh and Myanmar. If it needs tripartite intervention over the issue, China will play its role, he added.

Wang Yi explained their stance over the Taiwan issue to the prime minister. In this context, Hasina reiterated that Bangladesh believes in "One China Policy." Bangladesh values it's friendship with China, she told the Chinese minister.

The PM requested China to take measures for taking back the Bangladeshi students, who had to leave China during the Covid-19 period and are yet to return to their campuses there to complete their studies.

Referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions, she said, "People (across the globe) are suffering from all of these. South Asia, South East Asia and China can work together for economic progress."

Recalling the visits of Bangabandhu to China in 1952 and 1957, Hasina said Bangabandhu was a great admirer of the founder of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong, which was found in Bangabandhu's book "Amar Dekha Naya Chin" (The New China as I Saw).

The premier greeted the Chinese president and thanked him for giving a video message marking the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh and Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier the Chinese foreign minister also conveyed their president Xi Jinping's greetings to Bangladesh prime minister. The Chinese president also thanked Sheikh Hasina for sending a message marking 100 years of the Communist Party of China.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming were present.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Dhaka on Saturday evening on a two-day trip to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues with Bangladesh leadership.