Bangladesh-China ties important for regional peace, stability: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said strong and constructive bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China can contribute not only to the prosperity of the two countries but also to peace, stability and economic cooperation across the region.

He made the remarks at a roundtable meeting with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.

Rizvi said the BNP’s foreign policy is guided by the ‘Bangladesh First’ principle and based on national interests.

“Your visit to Bangladesh reflects the longstanding friendship, mutual trust and enduring partnership between our two countries and political parties,” he said.

He added that the BNP government was committed to pursuing an independent, balanced and forward-looking foreign policy, aimed at maintaining friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all countries.

Recalling Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to China from 22 to 26 June this year, Rizvi said the visit had reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and development.

He expressed hope that the visit would open new avenues for cooperation in the coming days.

Reaffirming the BNP’s firm support for the One-China policy, Rizvi said Bangladesh remained committed to the principle that there is only one China and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it.

Highlighting investment opportunities for China in Bangladesh, he identified manufacturing, energy, information technology, textiles, agro-processing and pharmaceuticals as potential sectors.

He also called for expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market.

The meeting welcomed the proposed China Economic and Industrial Zone initiative, which aims to attract potential investment of around $500 million from nearly 30 Chinese companies in special economic zones. The initiative could create around 100,000 jobs in Bangladesh.

Rizvi also urged the Chinese government to consider creating opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in medicine in China and establishing a technology university in Bangladesh to support human resource development.