|
by Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu Wednesday said Dhaka-Beijing closer ties upgraded to "strategic partnership of cooperation" through Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent Dhaka visit will not impact Bangladesh relations with others.
"Those who are in a state of tension of now following closer ties between Bangladesh-China I want to tell them that our economic ties with others won't be affected," said Inu, also president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), an ally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling grand alliance, which has been strongly maintaining its One China policy.
Inu made the observation while speaking at seminar titled, "Bangladesh-China Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation" organized by Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said China paves the way for an emerging economy like Bangladesh with its huge population and strategic location to further grow as it opens up its markets and relocates industries.
With Golam Dastagir Gazi, ruling Bangladesh Awami League party lawmaker and also president of Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the chair, dozens of leading researchers, economists, politicians, diplomats and businessmen joined the seminar and opined for further bolstering Dhaka-Beijing relations.
The discussants said that Bangladesh-China relationship had really reached a "strategic" level now and that investment had skyrocketed from a mere 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in 40 years to a pledge of 30 billion U.S. dollars, this year.
They stressed the need for frequent exchange of top-level official visits between the two countries to take forward the progresses both sides achieved during Xi's landmark visit.
Discussants said with big boost in mutual trust and cooperation, Bangladesh and China are now really in a position to better contribute to the regional connectivity through Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar-Economic Corridor under China's Belt and Road initiative which got a new momentum with his visit to this region.
During his recent Dhaka visit, Xi held talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation.
