Bangladesh Nationalist Party senior leader Dr Abul Moyeen Khan on Tuesday unequivocally told Yunnan Province leaders that if his party came to power, it would prioritise deepening strategic and diplomatic relations with China to ensure a balance of geopolitical power.
鈥業t鈥檚 simple that we are in a geographical position where, on three sides, we are encircled by a big and powerful country. We need to balance and bring equilibrium to our geopolitical role and location through our close relationship with China,鈥� he told a meeting with Yunnan province vice-governor Xu Hao.
He said that diplomatic and strategic balancing was essential for the survival of Bangladesh. 鈥業 sincerely wish, as in the past, China will continue to offer its fullest support to Bangladesh and its people.鈥�
A 21-member Bangladesh friendship delegation, led by Moyeen Khan, attended the meeting at the foreign affairs office of the government of Yunnan province.
Senior officials from various departments of the provincial government were present.
On behalf of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Moyeen extended heartfelt congratulations to the Communist Party of China and Yunnan provincial leaders.
He also noted that Khaleda Zia had been a consistent and longstanding friend of China for several decades.
Moyeen said that the BNP鈥檚 acting chairman had sent them to China with wishes to strengthen future collaboration and friendship between China and Bangladesh.
Following the mass uprising in Bangladesh last year, he said that political parties, including BNP, had been eagerly waiting for a national election.
鈥業f our party, BNP, along with our allies, is elected by people and forms the government, our first steps will be to strengthen our friendship with the people of China. This is a commitment from BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman,鈥� he said.
He said that the people of Bangladesh had long regarded China as one of their trusted friends.
Moyeen said that Bangladesh was one-third the size of Yunnan, but its population was three times larger, highlighting the immense pressure on the government to ensure that people receive their rightful benefits and privileges.
He said that Bangladesh was primarily an agriculture-based country, much like Yunnan province. 鈥楤angladesh is striving to develop industrially, especially in the ready made garment sector, as well as in other areas, though not as successfully as we have in the garment sector.鈥�
The BNP leader urged Chinese authorities to extend their cooperation in the agricultural and financial sectors of Bangladesh.
He mentioned that the Chinese ambassador in Dhaka had already indicated support for a water management project along one of the country鈥檚 major rivers, the Teesta.
Moyeen said that the Chinese ambassador had also indicated that China would support a $1 billion investment to implement the water management and irrigation project. Millions of poor people, particularly farmers, would greatly benefit if the project was implemented.
Moyeen expressed hope that steps would be taken in the future to initiate the project with China鈥檚 cooperation.
鈥楢s Yunnan is very close to China, this province serves as a gateway to China for Bangladesh to enhance bilateral trade and commerce,鈥� Moyeen said.
He stressed the importance of implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting Bangladesh with China via Myanmar. 鈥榃e are eagerly waiting for the initiation and completion of this segment of the BRI. Kunming can play a very important role in this regard.鈥�
Moyeen mentioned that while Bangladesh shared a large common border with a big country in Southeast Asia, it did not have a direct border with China. 鈥楤ut we believe China is Bangladesh鈥檚 closest neighbour.鈥�
Yunnan province vice-governor Xu Hao responded by stating that China, particularly the Yunnan provincial government, considered Bangladesh a very close and important neighbour.
He expressed the hope that the people-to-people relationship between China and Bangladesh would continue to grow in the future.
Xu Hao also said that Yunnan was eager to assist Bangladesh鈥檚 renewable energy and agricultural sectors. 鈥楩our top hospitals in Yunnan have been designated to specifically treat Bangladeshi patients.鈥�
The Yunaan leader said that many universities in Yunnan had become popular study destinations for South Asian countries. 鈥榃e warmly welcome more Bangladeshi students to study in Yunnan and we鈥檒l offer various scholarships for them.鈥�
On February 25, a 21-member 鈥榰nique鈥� delegation, comprising leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, travelled to China for an 11-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.