DHAKA: China on Sunday assured the new government in Dhaka of its readiness to continue cooperation in all sectors with Bangladesh, and said that “any attempts to undermine its cooperation with Bangladesh or any South Asian country are doomed to failure.” The remarks came days after US envoy to Bangladesh Brent Christensen said he was concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia. President Donald Trump stressed in a letter to Prime Minister Tariq Rahman that the US-Bangladesh partnership “is based on mutual respect and a shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region where strong, sovereign nations can thrive.” After his separate meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Ubaid, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Beijing appreciates Bangladesh in following the “Bangladesh First” policy.
He added that China is ready to continue cooperation in all sectors with the new Bangladesh government and jointly write new chapters in bilateral relations. But Yao said, “Any attempt to undermine their cooperation with Bangladesh or any country in South Asia is doomed to failure.”
“Our cooperation does not target any third party and should not be influenced by any foreign forces,” he told reporters.
The ambassador said that Dhaka and Beijing have engaged in long-term discussions on the comprehensive management and restoration project of the Teesta River, expressing his hope that work on the long-awaited initiative will begin soon. He said that high-level visits between the two countries will continue.Yao said that China, as a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of Bangladesh, attaches great importance to deepening relations with Bangladesh, and supports the new government led by Prime Minister Tariq in exercising smooth governance. Foreign Minister Khalilor said that China is a trustworthy friend and reliable partner of Bangladesh. He added that Bangladesh will continue to pursue a friendly policy towards China, strengthen its friendship with China, and looks forward to further deepening practical cooperation with China so as to achieve the greater benefit of the two peoples.
