China wants strong, stable, democratic Bangladesh: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said China wants to see a strong, stable and democratic Bangladesh.

“They always want to see stability in Bangladesh. They want to see a strong and prosperous Bangladesh and democratic environment in the country,” he said after a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC).​

The two-hour meeting, which began around 6:30 pm, was held at the capital’s Westin Hotel.

Fakhrul said it was basically a meeting between the two parties—BNP and CPC—as they have a longstanding relationship.

He mentioned that the relationship between the two parties had been disrupted over the last 15 years due to the Awami League’s rule.

“We are now reviving that relationship. So, our ties with the Communist Party of China are now deepening gradually. It will continue to grow in the future,” the BNP leader said.​

In response to a question, Fakhrul said elections are Bangladesh’s internal matter and that China usually does not interfere in any country’s internal affairs.

He, however, said they briefed the Chinese delegation about the country’s election and political situation.​

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said they had very good discussions with the BNP delegation.

“We discussed cooperation between our two parties and also discussed that the Communist Party of China and BNP will work together to enhance cooperation between the two countries,” he said.​

Responding to a question, the Chinese envoy said, “We were briefed by the BNP secretary general about BNP’s viewpoint for the next election.”

He also reiterated that elections are Bangladesh’s internal matter and that the people of Bangladesh will make the decision on it.​

A seven-member BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended the meeting.

The other members included Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal, Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Humayun Kabir, Media Cell member Mahmuda Habiba, and BNP Chairperson’s Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.​

The CPC delegation was headed by Peng Xiubin, Director General of the Southeast and South Asian Affairs Bureau under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. Other members included Deputy Director Chen Xuanbo, Third Secretary Chen Yongpei, and Attaché Zhang Guyu.​

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen also joined the meeting, accompanied by Political Section Director Zhang Jing and Political Section Attaché Liu Hongru, reports UNB.