China backs Bangladesh’s BRICS bid, SCO push
Beijing,: China has backed Bangladesh’s participation in BRICS and its application to become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while reaffirming support for the Teesta River project and asserting that cooperation is “not targeted at any third party”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the statements came in a joint communiqué after Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s five-day visit to China, where he held talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The two sides agreed to elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a “China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era”, strengthen defence ties and establish a strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers. They will also explore a “2+2” dialogue involving diplomatic and defence officials.
China said it would support the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project by assisting in expediting feasibility studies and related work.
Responding to reported Indian concerns, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the project was for Bangladesh’s livelihood and that “China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party”.
Dhaka reiterated its commitment to the “One China” policy, while Beijing reaffirmed support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and pledged to support its greater role in multilateral institutions including BRICS and the SCO. The countries also agreed to expand cooperation in trade, connectivity, green energy, water resources, disaster management and industrial development, including modernisation of Mongla Port and development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.
