Photo: Collected
In order to strengthen bilateral relations between Dhaka and Beijing, a regular Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) is scheduled to be held in Dhaka on Saturday (27 May). The meeting will cover various topics, including the Global Development Initiative (GDI), trade, and investment.
Before the upcoming national election in Bangladesh, the Dhaka-Beijing high-level meeting is deemed most important, while the Dhaka-Washington relation is said to be entering a cold wave, according to diplomatic sources.
A foreign ministry official stated that the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Tokyo and the joint statement of the two countries raised concerns about the South China Sea, which Beijing is believed to be concerned about. Taking these two contexts into consideration, Beijing plans to add Bangladesh to the GDI as soon as possible. However, Bangladesh is not ready to join the GDI at this time.
Another official from the foreign ministry stated that outlining the Indo-Pacific does not mean that Bangladesh is aligning with the United States of America or Japan. Bangladesh is openly supporting China's policy very strongly. It is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and there is an interest in joining the GDI. Further investigation is still ongoing.
The official mentioned that he has provided the opinion of Bangladesh's permanent mission in Beijing and the United Nations, as the matter is related to the United Nations.
China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong is scheduled to visit Bangladesh for a three-day visit starting tomorrow. He will lead a four-member delegation at the foreign office consultations meeting, while Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen will lead the Dhaka team, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Another official from the foreign ministry stated that the meeting may involve various bilateral issues. Beijing aims to strengthen its ties with Dhaka in terms of trade, investment, politics, and diplomacy.
During the meeting, the repatriation of Rohingyas will hold special importance from the Dhaka side.
TDM/SD
