Dhaka, Jul 18 (V7N)- Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the relationship between Bangladesh and China is inseparable, stressing that it is in the strategic interests of both countries to further strengthen bilateral ties.
He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association at a hotel in the capital.
Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh has much to gain from strengthening its partnership with China, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure development and security.
"We do not seem to have much difference with China's political system. Around the world, developing and comparatively less powerful countries like Bangladesh are building closer relations with China to meet various strategic needs because China is leading in these areas," he said.
Emphasizing the importance of balanced foreign relations, the minister said Bangladesh wants to maintain strong ties not only with China but also with neighboring India, Europe and the United States.
"It is important for our national interest to have an economic and global power like China by our side. At the same time, we also want to strengthen our relations with India, Europe and the United States. For a country of nearly 200 million people, where around 40 million young people are still unemployed, we need expanded trade, advanced technology and greater employment opportunities," he said.
Mirza Fakhrul also said China should play a greater leadership role in global affairs.
"China must provide leadership in the world against injustice, hegemony and expansionism. Countries like ours should also stand beside China. The stronger our relationship with China becomes, the more secure we will feel. Whether others agree or not does not concern me. We need China, and China also needs us," he added.
Recalling his participation in an international political conference in 2017 while BNP was still in the opposition, the BNP Secretary General said he came to understand that China maintains relations beyond party politics.
"In 2017, I was invited to attend a convention of 216 political parties from around the world, where President Xi Jinping personally presided over the session. That was when I realized China does not depend on any single political party," he said.
He added that although BNP had previously believed China was giving greater importance to the Awami League, that perception later changed.
"At that time, we felt China was maintaining relations only with the Awami League and not giving enough importance to the BNP. But later we understood that China builds relations with all political forces based on its strategic and economic interests. It wants Bangladesh and the BNP to remain part of its trade and global development initiatives," he said.
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