The Chinese embassy in Dhaka has expressed sadness over the receiving of some gifts with respect to coronavirus from Taiwan, which is claimed by China as its territory.
Communicating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs verbally, the embassy expressed sadness and wanted to know details, according to a senior source at the ministry familiar with the development.
The Foreign Ministry reassured the Chinese mission that Bangladesh believes in the one-China policy and that receiving something through a private organization has nothing to do with any change to Dhaka's longstanding policy.
When contacted on Tuesday evening, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told Dhaka Tribune: "Actually, the government did not receive the materials directly. Taiwan gave the materials to Walton, which forwarded them to the government.
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"Our ministry conveyed to the Chinese that Bangladesh's belief in the one-China policy still stands and will continue to stand. Therefore, I do not see anything for China to worry about," he said.
On August 24, The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) handed over medical equipment to combat Covid-19 to tech company Walton, at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
TAITRA handed over 100,000 surgical masks, 1,600 N-95 masks, 20,000 cloth masks, 10,000 face shields, 500 PPE, 200 goggles, and two sets of ventilators to the government.
