Fakhrul to lead BNP delegation to China from Sunday

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Dhaka, June 19 – A nine-member high level delegation of the BNP, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, goes to China next Sunday at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

“The CPC has given a formal invitation for the visit, which is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and sharing party-level experiences,” said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

Sayrul disclosed that accompanying Mirza Fakhrul will be four standing committee members: Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. They will be joined by three chairperson's advisers, namely Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, and Professor Sukomal Barua, and the party's media cell convener, Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel.

The delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday evening at the invitation of China’s acting ambassador to Dhaka ahead of the trip.

Party insiders said the visit underscores BNP’s intention to deepen relations with China, which remains a key development partner for Bangladesh.

They believe the visit may play a crucial role in bolstering diplomatic engagement with Beijing, especially in the context of a possible future political transition in Bangladesh. The BNP is increasingly viewed by stakeholders as a 'government in waiting', given the present political context of Bangladesh. That wait is expected to last till the next election.

BNP leaders also view the trip as part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to build and maintain relationships across the political spectrum in Bangladesh.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5 last year, China has intensified diplomatic engagement with various political parties in the country, including the BNP, newly-formed NCP, and even a number of Islamist parties.

On February 24, a 21-member ‘unique’ delegation consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, visited China for an 11-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan led that delegation.

Chinese authorities stated that the visit was part of their strategy to strengthen multiparty relations with Bangladesh, following the political changeover last August.

During the 11-day visit, the delegation held meetings with central and provincial leaders of the CPC in Beijing, Shaanxi and Yunnan. - UNB