Untold Facts

Building friendly relationship with China

Regarding the Prime Minster’s Chainese visit Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said connectivity, economic and defence cooperation will be priorities during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s China visit from March 17 where she will meet her Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao.

“Three agreements will be signed during prime minister’s visit : an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, a framework agreement on the Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory and an agreement on the 7th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge,”

She added that other agreements may be signed at the high profile visit She said the two sides will discuss a number of projects, including Chitagong Kunming rail and road links through Myanmar-the route will have to pass 111 kilometres through Myanmar.The leaders will also discuss the 2nd Padma Bridge, the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Capacity Building in the Agricultural hybrid sector and telecommunications and solar energy projects.

China has expertise in the renewable energy sector and that Bangladesh will seek cooperation on solar power for rural schools. Two countries close defense ties would be discussed during the visit There would be no discussion on any security deal during the Prime Minister’s tour.

Dhaka’s relation with Beijing will not effect relations with India.

“We have thousands of years of historic relations with India and China.”

The minister dismissed suggestions that stronger relations with New Delhi could upset ties with Beijing.

She said after formation of the new government, the Chinese had sent a special representative to the Prime Minser with a strong desire to cooperate. Bangladesh also wants to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.

In 2009, the bilateral trade volume was US$ 4.58 billion while China provided $319.17 million to support 186 projects until 2010.

Dipu Moni hinted that the Awami League government would not abandon the Look East policy not abandon the look East policy of the previous BNP government that presses for closer relations with South East Asian countries and China.

Dhaka would urge Beijing to support border demarcation on the maritime boundary China is a major backer of military-ruled Myanmar. The government wants to expand and improve Chitagong and Mongla seaports to make them regional business hubs. Bangladesh also said that Chineses traffic could help make the planned deep sea port in Chitagong viable. Bangladesh may request China to use her good offices to resolve the problem with Myanmar.

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina is now on five-day visit to China. This is the PM’s first visit to that country since taking over charge some thirteen months ago.

For obvious reasons, a great deal of expectations are centred on this visit which would be significant for Bangladesh is all respects.

Traditionally, China has been a source of support for Bangladesh is different fields. Some large communication projects such as bridges in Bangladesh were almost entirely funded and provided with technical expertise for their construction by China. Besides this, China is providing notable support to Bangladesh in other fields including, among others, the defence. A large volume of Bangladesh’s imports comes from China. Diplomatically, China has stood by Bangladesh’s side and its diplomatic persuasion played no small a part in helping Bangladesh to improve relations with Myanmar as Beijing has a great deal of influence on Yangoon.

China is the fastest rising power in the world today. It is already considered as an emerging superpower or the number two country in the economic and military sense after the United States. Thus, it is a mater of some fortune for Bangladesh that it has such a powerful and friendly country as its neighbour.

Cementing its friendly and cooperative relations with China can contribute to Bangladesh’s security and economic growth and development on a lasting basis.

Following the recent visit of the Prime Minster to India, her meetings and discussions with the Chinese leaders at the helm assume an added importance. Bangladesh’s avowed policies of seeing friendship with all are well understood and appreciated by all concerned. There should, thus, be no misgivings in any quarters. The PM’s visit is likely to open a new vista of cooperation with Beijing. The Prme Minster can seek China’s support and cooperation for Bangladesh’s endeavours for beter geographical connectivity with neighbours. This can lead to greater trade facilitation and economic cooperation that would serve the common interests of all the countries in the region.

Bangladesh has also requested China for building direct road connections with it through Myanmar. Chinese aid for funding major projects, specially infrastructures, would also likely be sought Further, Beijing may be requested to go on exercising its influence on Myanmar so that Bangladesh can expeditiously setle its disputes with Myanmar, specially the one of demarcation of maritime boundaries.

The Chinese side may be sensitised during the visit about the imbalance in Bangladesh’s bilateral trade with the former. In this connection, some concessions by China would set the stage for greater export of Bangladeshi goods to China to help narrow this gap. Pledges of Chinese technological assistance for emerging sectors in Bangladesh, specially agriculture-related ones, would also be welcome.

Thus, the visit on the whole could prove to be a useful one for both countries and should be also notably helpful for improving inter-state relations in this part of the world.

Author:Anu Mahmud
Source: The New NAtion