Dhaka's interest to join BRICS: Beijing assures its support

Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong has appreciated Bangladesh’s interest to join BRICS for which he assured of China’s active support.

During the 13th round of bilateral political consultations between Bangladesh and China held in Beijing on June 3, both parties agreed to work jointly for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China next month.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation while the Chinese side was led by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong.

The Bangladesh delegation comprised of Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Jashim Uddin, Additional Secretary of ERD Anwar Hossain and officials from the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy in China.

Officials from Foreign Ministry of China were present on the other side.

The consultations focused on consolidating bilateral relations, enhancing economic ties, promoting trade and investment and exploring opportunities for cooperation in multilateral platform, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Chinese vice minister underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.

He conveyed China’s willingness to work together to import mango and other agricultural products from Bangladesh and also to assist skill development of the youth. The Chinese side assured to expedite the repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.

Weidong mentioned that the two countries’ embassies in Dhaka and Beijing may work together for the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Masud mentioned that Bangladesh attaches significant importance to its relations with China based on shared values, mutual respect and common aspirations.

He recalled the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China during 1952 and 1957 and expected the book “The New China as I saw” to be published in Chinese language before the upcoming VVIP visit.

The foreign secretary highlighted the visit of President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 which uplifted the relation to “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation”.

Bangladesh foreign secretary thanked China for their support in infrastructural development which includes several mega projects.

He explained the growing economy of Bangladesh and sought China’s support to facilitate the existing structure of Duty-Free Quota Free (DFQF) access of Bangladeshi products in China.

Masud put emphasis on global cooperation to overcome challenges like pandemic, climate change etc.

He expressed expectation for China’s continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland.

Chinese Vice Minister Weidong welcomed Bangladeshi delegation and expressed his deepest sympathy for the damage incurred by the recent cyclone “Remal”.

He congratulated the prime minister of Bangladesh for being re-elected through the national election on 7 January and hoped that under her capable leadership, the Bengali nation will fulfill the dream of “Sonar Bangla”.

He recalled Bangladesh prime ninister’s visits to China since 2010 and her discussion with the Chinese president during last year’s BRICS summit.

The two sides agreed to hold the next bilateral political consultations between the two foreign ministries next year in Dhaka.