China and Canada have expressed interest in expanding trade and investment ties with Bangladesh while pledging continued support for humanitarian efforts for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
The message was conveyed during bilateral meetings between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and the foreign ministers of China and Canada on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Foreign Adviser Hossain is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the ARF Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for Friday.
During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations. Wang Yi reiterated China’s full support for the reform agenda of Bangladesh’s interim government and expressed willingness to collaborate in key areas including medical tourism and water management, according to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Referring to a recent Chinese Investment Conference in Bangladesh, Wang also noted China’s interest in expanding cooperation in textiles, energy, and light engineering sectors.
In response, the foreign adviser expressed appreciation for China’s continued political and development support to the current government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. He also reiterated Bangladesh’s call for a swift and sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis and sought China’s support at regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations.
In a separate meeting later in the day, Foreign Adviser Hossain met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The two discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly through trade diversification and resilience building.
Anand reaffirmed Canada’s support in addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
The Bangladesh delegation also included Ambassador Shameem Ahsan, High Commissioner to Malaysia; Md. Forhadul Islam, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and other senior officials.
