Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for further strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh and China in various fields, including defence, UNB reports. The Prime Minister said this when visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan met her at her official residence Gana Baban in the capital yesterday morning. Expressing satisfaction regarding the talks over defence cooperation between Bangladesh and China, the Chinese Defence Minister said that both sides felt that high-level exchanges should have to take place. Referring to his meetings with the chiefs of the three services in Bangladesh, the Chinese Minister told Prime Minister, "We had fruitful meetings with them and exchanged views on how to further strengthen the defense cooperation." He also underscored the need for holding training for the mid- and junior-level army officers. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
General Chang Wanquan pointed out that during Bangladesh Prime Minister's visit to China in 2014, both the countries came to a consensus to enhance the state-to-state and military-to-military relations. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government's firm commitment to further modernize and strengthen the armed forces with modern technology to safeguard the country's independence and sovereignty. "We want to add modern technology to the armed forces to further enhance their capability ... it's necessary for not only war, also for overall development of the defence forces," she said. Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s stance of ‘One China Policy’ and said problems between countries could be resolved through bilateral discussions.
Terming China a very important development partner of Bangladesh, she said, “Beijing has been contributing a lot to Bangladesh’s further development of various sectors.” In this connection, she stressed the need for expanding cooperation in the agriculture sector saying that both Bangladesh and China would be benefited as a large number of people of the two countries depend on this sector. Underscoring the need for strengthening regional connectivity, the Prime Minister said the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor initiative would open up a new door of cooperation and economic activities between the four nations.
The Prime Minister also conveyed her regards to the Chinese President and Premier through the Chinese Defence Minister. “Bangladesh has a bright future,” the Chinese Defence Minister said hoping that the Bangladesh-China cooperation in different sectors would continue to be strengthened in the coming days. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kazi Habibul Awal, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mahfuzur Rahman and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang were present, among others.