Dhaka-Beijing ties at new heights

Says Chinese envoy

Bangladesh and China are currently enjoying the best of  relationships and that can be strengthened even further, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang said yesterday.
“The relationship is now at its best,” he said during an interaction with senior journalists of The Independent at its office.
Highlighting different aspects of the Dhaka-Beijing relationship, the envoy also said, “There is a huge room for improvement. We can further strengthen the relationship. And, role of the media is very important in this regard.”
Although the diplomatic ties were officially established in 1975, the relationship between Bangladesh and China dates back more than 2,000 years, he said.
Describing Bangladesh as a time-tested partner, the ambassador said both the countries are engaged enormously in terms of huge  investment, trade, security cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.

Understanding of people of both the country is the strongest pillar of the relationship while security cooperation is also an important pillar, he said.
Responding to a query, Mingqiang mentioned that cooperation between the armed forces of both the countries is very strong, reflecting a mutual trust each has for the other.
Shedding lights on China’s rapid development over the last 30 years, the envoy said that China will be benefitted if its neighbours prosper and expressed Beijing’s willingness to extend helping hands in this regard.
Placing great emphasis on the cooperation between the two countries, he said, “You have what we need and we have what you need. The potential is huge.”  
“We have same dreams,” he added.
To another question, the ambassador said that the huge trade imbalance in favour of Beijing is not good for China.
“The trade between the two countries should be balanced and sustainable,” he said.
The envoy talked about more Chinese investments in Bangladesh and more exports from Bangladesh to China as the remedies to balance the trade, which currently stands at $12.5 billion.
He reminded that China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner while Bangladesh is China’s third largest partner in South Asia.
In reply to a question, Mingqiang said he was trying to minimise the complexities faced by the Bangladeshis in obtaining Chinese visas.
He also emphasised on cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, tourism, culture and fisheries.
To a questioner, the ambassador said Beijing does not have any problem with Bangladesh’s growing engagements with India and the United States. China itself is developing good relations with both the countries, he reminded.
Earlier, The Independent Editor M Shamsur Rahman welcomed the Chinese ambassador to the office of the daily. The editor apprised him of different aspects of the newspaper while the envoy visited different sections of the daily.
The ambassador also paid a courtesy visit to Independent Television, a sister concern of The Independent, located at the same building.
The Independent editor,  also the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Television, and The Independent Executive Editor Shamim A. Zahedy accompanied the envoy.

 

 

Dhaka-Beijing ties at new heights

Says Chinese envoy

Bangladesh and China are currently enjoying the best of relationships and that can be strengthened even further, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang said yesterday. The relationship is now at its best, he said during an interaction with senior journalists of The Independent at its office. Highlighting different aspects of the Dhaka-Beijing relationship, the envoy also said, There is a huge room for improvement. We can further strengthen the relationship. And, role of the media is very important in this regard. Although the diplomatic ties were officially established in 1975, the relationship between Bangladesh and China dates back more than 2,000 years, he said. Describing Bangladesh as a time-tested partner, the ambassador said both the countries are engaged enormously in terms of huge investment, trade, security cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Understanding of people of both the country is the strongest pillar of the relationship while security cooperation is also an important pillar, he said. Responding to a query, Mingqiang mentioned that cooperation between the armed forces of both the countries is very strong, reflecting a mutual trust each has for the other. Shedding lights on Chinas rapid development over the last 30 years, the envoy said that China will be benefitted if its neighbours prosper and expressed Beijings willingness to extend helping hands in this regard. Placing great emphasis on the cooperation between the two countries, he said, You have what we need and we have what you need. The potential is huge. We have same dreams, he added. To another question, the ambassador said that the huge trade imbalance in favour of Beijing is not good for China. The trade between the two countries should be balanced and sustainable, he said. The envoy talked about more Chinese investments in Bangladesh and more exports from Bangladesh to China as the remedies to balance the trade, which currently stands at $12.5 billion. He reminded that China is Bangladeshs largest trading partner while Bangladesh is Chinas third largest partner in South Asia. In reply to a question, Mingqiang said he was trying to minimise the complexities faced by the Bangladeshis in obtaining Chinese visas. He also emphasised on cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, tourism, culture and fisheries. To a questioner, the ambassador said Beijing does not have any problem with Bangladeshs growing engagements with India and the United States. China itself is developing good relations with both the countries, he reminded. Earlier, The Independent Editor M Shamsur Rahman welcomed the Chinese ambassador to the office of the daily. The editor apprised him of different aspects of the newspaper while the envoy visited different sections of the daily. The ambassador also paid a courtesy visit to Independent Television, a sister concern of The Independent, located at the same building. The Independent editor, also the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Television, and The Independent Executive Editor Shamim A. Zahedy accompanied the envoy.