The 13th round of bilateral political consultations between Bangladesh and China was held in Beijing on 3 June 2024. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation while the China side was led by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Sun Weidong. The Bangladesh delegation comprised of Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Mr. Jashim Uddin, the Additional Secretary of ERD Mr. Anwar Hossain, and officials from the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy in China. Officials from the Foreign Ministry of China were present on the other side. The consultations focused on consolidating bilateral relations, enhancing economic ties, promoting trade and investment, and exploring opportunities for cooperation in multilateral platform.
In his opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Masud mentioned that Bangladesh attaches significant importance to its relations with China based on shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations. He recalled the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China during 1952 and 1957 and expected the book “The New China as I Saw” to be published in Chinese language before the upcoming VVIP visit. He highlighted the visit of President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 which uplifted the relationship to “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation”. Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary thanked China for their support in infrastructural development which includes several mega projects. He explained the growing economy of Bangladesh and sought China’s support to facilitate the existing structure of Duty-Free Quota Free (DFQF) access to Bangladeshi products in China. Foreign Secretary emphasized global cooperation to overcome challenges like pandemics, climate change, etc. He expressed expectations for China’s continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland.
Chinese Vice Minister Mr. Weidong welcomed the Bangladeshi delegation and expressed his deepest sympathy for the damage incurred by the recent cyclone “Remal”. He congratulated the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh for being re-elected through the national election on 7 January and hoped that under her capable leadership, the Bengali nation would fulfill the dream of “Sonar Bangla”. He recalled the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s visits to China since 2010 and her discussion with the Chinese President during last year’s BRICS summit. Mr. Weidong mentioned that the two countries Embassies in Dhaka and Beijing may work together for the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He appreciated Bangladesh’s interest to join BRICS for which he assured of China’s active support. The Chinese Vice Minister underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and people-to-people connectivity. He conveyed China’s willingness to work together to import mango and other agricultural products from Bangladesh and also to assist skill development of the youth. China’s side assured to expedite the repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Both parties agreed to work jointly for the upcoming visit of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister to China and to hold the next bilateral political consultations between the two foreign ministries next year in Dhaka.