Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen has termed the just concluded official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Beijing a “tremendous success” in the bilateral relations, brushing aside criticisms.
“It’s not my jurisdiction to comment on others (criticisms). We are very confident about the future of the (bilateral) relationship,” he said, speaking at a post-visit briefing at the embassy on Tuesday.
“From our assessment, it is a tremendous success. And also, if you follow the press release two days ago by the honorable prime minister, it's very much the same assessment by the honorable prime minister.”
The prime minister paid an official visit to China from July 8 to 10 at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.
During the visit, the relationship has been elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership level.
The two governments signed 21 MoUs and agreements on trade and investment, digital economy, financial regulation, education cooperation, medical care and public health, infrastructure cooperation, green and low carbon development, agricultural cooperation, hydrological forecasting, and cooperation in radio and television, and announced 7 projects.
Besides, 16 MoUs and agreements with a value of $500 million were also signed by private enterprises of the two countries at the business summit.
Despite that, opposition groups have been saying that the visit was not successful.
They cited the prime minister’s return 12 hours ahead of schedule due to illness of her daughter Saima Wazed as a reason.
Besides there are stories from the grapevine that the prime minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping lasted half an hour, less than the plan.
The critics also pointed out that Bangladesh did not get a financial assistance announcement as expected.
Replying to those questions, the ambassador said: “I believe the honorable prime minister spoke very clearly (about her early return). Why she came earlier is due to personal reasons. It is quite natural since all the official programs have been completed.”
About the meeting with Xi Jinping, the ambassador said he was there at the spot during the meeting and it lasted nearly one hour which was beyond the schedule.
“I can tell you because I was there. I was at the spot. The meeting lasted almost 1 hour. I don't know who told you about 30 minutes …it's nonsense. I was there, I checked. Actually, it's (lasted) more than we're supposed to,” the ambassador said.
“I saw the chemistry between the two leaders. They were in a very thorough discussion about how to alleviate poverty, the agriculture, development of the city, all the things we discussed in the visit,” he added.
About the financial package, the ambassador said: “The prime minister announced the day before yesterday that the whole package China provided amounted to $2 billion including the grants, interest free loans, concession loans and commercial loans. So, our package of comprehensive financial support to Bangladesh amounts to around $2 billion.
“We have discussed these facilities and the next step is up to the working level of the two countries to sit down to talk about the details of this arrangement and how to implement this financial support from China to Bangladesh,” he said.
“And I believe these funds will be used to construct vital infrastructure projects, enhance the quality of life for boundless people and mitigate the impact of disasters. This demonstrates the true essence of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries,” he said.
The ambassador also explained further why the visit was a tremendous success.
“China-Bangladesh relations elevated to a higher level. Leaders of our two countries agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. This is the most important political outcome of the visit,” he said.
“Secondly, a higher level of political mutual trust. The Chinese side will continue to firmly support Bangladesh in maintaining peace and stability, realizing development goals as envisioned under Vision 2041, non-interference in its internal affairs, and independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions.
“Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle and its position that the government of the People’s Republic of China represents the whole of China, and Taiwan is part of China, and Bangladesh supports China on issues pertaining to China's core interests and China's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The two sides also discussed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) put forward by President Xi Jinping. The Chinese side is ready to share experience on GDI issues with the Bangladesh side.
He said the Chinese side supports the Southern Integrated Development Initiatives (SIDI) of Bangladesh, among others, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to help this region achieve balanced and sustainable development.
He said the areas of cooperation between the two sides are much broader now. The Joint Statement covers as broad as 17 areas, including almost all aspects of economic and social development of Bangladesh, namely, politics, political parties, trade and commerce, major cooperation projects, finance, digital and ICT, agriculture, meteorology, water management, ecological protection, health, education, people-to-people, maritime and blue economy, archaeology, defence, multilateral affairs cooperation and so on, resulting in a total of 27 practical outcomes.
“China-Bangladesh cooperation goes beyond the bilateral scope and is committed to jointly maintaining world peace and stability, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, and international fairness and justice,” said the ambassador.