Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (Oct 14) said Dhaka is keen to strengthen both its economic and security ties with China along with deepening collaboration in several critical areas including clean energy and infrastructure development.
"We need security cooperation from China," he said while speaking at a seminar titled "Bangladesh-China Relations: A Future Outlook' at a city hotel.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Centre for China Studies (SIIS-DU) jointly organised the seminar while Dhaka and Beijing are looking forward to celebrating 50 years anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Underlining the significance of defence cooperation with China, the foreign adviser described it as vital for Bangladesh's military modernization efforts.
Noting that China is a major supplier of security equipment to Bangladesh, he said China is an important partner in the modernization of Bangladesh's military while Dhaka looks forward to further cooperation particularly in the military training programmes.
He also said that the enhanced defence cooperation could play role in increasing Bangladesh's involvement in the United Nations peacekeeping operations, which remains a key priority for the country.
The adviser pointed to infrastructure development as another area of potential collaboration with China, stressing the need for sustainable projects.
"We welcome further cooperation in infrastructure development and energy projects, particularly in green energy," he said emphasising completing projects on time.
He also touched upon technological cooperation, particularly in the ICT sector, noting that China's visibility in this field could drive future economic growth in Bangladesh.
The development of Bangladesh's ICT sector, with Chinese technological transfer could be one of the main drivers of the country's economic growth in the coming years.
The foreign adviser highlighted China's role in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, stressing that the only viable solution involves the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to their land of origin in Myanmar.
"We appreciate China's cooperation, but unfortunately, the trilateral dialogue has not yet succeeded in returning even one Rohingya (in the last seven years)," he said.
Touhid said Dhaka looks forward to seeing a more proactive role from China in the repatriation process, ensuring that Rohingyas are able to return to Myanmar with their rights, and security.
BDST: 1513 HRS, OCT 14, 2024
MN/SMS
