Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her recent visit to China is a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s diplomatic endeavours.
“My visit will be marked as a significant part of Bangladesh’s diplomatic activities,” she said during a press conference, reflecting on her trip, at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Sunday.
She emphasised that enhanced communication and cooperation in research, education, ICT, technology and culture would strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China, aiding in the realisation of the Sonar Bangla and a modern, smart Bangladesh, as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports UNB.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China. The prime minister highlighted Bangladesh’s adherence to Bangabandhu’s foreign policy principle of “friendship to all, malice to none,” which has guided the nation in its bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts.
“I believe that Bangladesh and China will continue to advance development through mutual assistance, considering global realities like climate change, the Palestine crisis, human rights, sustainable development and the United Nations,” she said.
The prime minister underscored the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and China, which extends beyond economic cooperation to traditional ties as Asian countries.
Addressing the issue of the forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, she sought China’s cooperation in resolving the crisis. She noted that the Chinese president thanked Bangladesh for its humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas and reiterated China’s commitment to supporting their repatriation.
“President Xi reiterated his commitment to support the repatriation of the Rohingya,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina also expressed optimism that Bangladesh and China would continue to support each other at regional and international levels.
Through fruitful discussions with the Chinese president, the relationship between Bangladesh and China has been elevated to the level of Integrated Strategic Cooperative Partnership, she said.
The prime minister said that at the bilateral meeting on July 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned four areas of assistance — grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans and commercial loans.
“Under these four packages, China has agreed to pay the equivalent of $2 billion to Bangladesh,” she said.
‘Won’t spare corrupt people’
Addressing the press conference, the prime minister also said that she did not think that drives against corruption would hamper the image of her government, reiterating her commitment to pursue the "zero tolerance" policy to wipe out corruption from the country.
"I will not spare corrupt people no matter whoever they are or whatever position they have as I started the drives against corruption. I even don't consider who is close or who is not. I must execute the "zero tolerance policy" against corruption," she pledged while replying to a question about the government's measures against corruption.
She said the people knew about corruption in different sectors as her government has taken a tougher stance against corruption. "No one in the past had conducted drives in such a way against corruption.”
The prime minister said they had earlier pledged to stamp out militancy from the country by pursuing the "zero tolerance policy" against the militancy.
"We have done it successfully. Now, we are taking measures against the corruption and it will continue till wiping out the menace," she said.
She continued: "I don't believe that the image of my government will be damaged due to taking action against corruption."
To this end, she said one of her peons made Tk 400 crore through corruption and she took action against him.
The prime minister said her responsibility is to take the country into a dignified position by removing all the irregularities.
The trial of some corruption cases has also been criticised although he committed grafts and misappropriated money of workers, she said without mentioning the name of Dr Muhammad Yunus.
During the press conference, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat and State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu were present on the dais.
Awami League Presidium Members Mosharraf Hossain and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were also present. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan moderated the press conference.
