Bangladesh reassures Chinese FM of one-China policy, seeks better trade relations

[Bilal9]

UNB​

10 January, 2023, 09:20 am
Last modified: 10 January, 2023, 10:12 am

Qin Gang, who until recently was ambassador to the US, has started his term with a weeklong trip to five African countries

Photo: UNB

Bangladesh has conveyed to China that it maintains a balanced foreign policy and walks together with all the countries while reassuring Dhaka's support to Beijing.

"We believe in one-China principle. We maintain a balanced foreign policy. This is our principle. We will extend our support (to China) time to time," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters on Tuesday as conveyed to his Chinese counterpart.

Newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a brief stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Momen received his Chinese counterpart upon his arrival at around 1:58am, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
The two Foreign Ministers had brief meeting at the VIP Lounge of the airport and discussed issues of mutual interest.

While briefing the media at the airport early Tuesday, Momen said he raised the huge trade gap issue with China.

Photo: UNB

He said though there was a decision of duty free and quota free facilities for Bangladeshi exports, it has not been implemented yet fully.

Businesses are yet to take advantage of the DFQF facilities in the Chinese market, Momen mentioned, seeking measures from the Chinese side.

Momen described the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 as a milestone but mentioned that many decisions in terms of investment are yet to be implemented.

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh also mentioned China's involvement in a number of important development projects including rail link of Padma Bridge.

He also thanked the Chinese government for its support to Bangladesh during Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chinese Foreign Minister invited Momen to visit Beijing at a mutually convenient time.

In reply, Momen also invited his Chinese counterpart to come again for a longer stay.

Foreign Minister Momen saw off his Chinese counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:50 am on Tuesday.

Earlier, Momen told UNB that it was not an official visit to Bangladesh, but the Chinese foreign minister would make a stopover here on his way to another destination.

Qin Gang, who until recently was ambassador to the US, has started his term with a weeklong trip to five African countries.

To "deepen the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership" and boost friendly cooperation between China and Africa, Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, the African Union Headquarters and the League of Arab States Headquarters upon invitation, from January 9 to 16, 2023," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily media briefing on Monday.

This is the 33rd consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of the Chinese foreign ministers' annual first overseas visit, he added.

 

[bluesky]

UNB​

10 January, 2023, 09:20 am
Last modified: 10 January, 2023, 10:12 am

Qin Gang, who until recently was ambassador to the US, has started his term with a weeklong trip to five African countries

Photo: UNB

Bangladesh has conveyed to China that it maintains a balanced foreign policy and walks together with all the countries while reassuring Dhaka's support to Beijing.

"We believe in one-China principle. We maintain a balanced foreign policy. This is our principle. We will extend our support (to China) time to time," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters on Tuesday as conveyed to his Chinese counterpart.

Newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a brief stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Momen received his Chinese counterpart upon his arrival at around 1:58am, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
The two Foreign Ministers had brief meeting at the VIP Lounge of the airport and discussed issues of mutual interest.

While briefing the media at the airport early Tuesday, Momen said he raised the huge trade gap issue with China.

Photo: UNB

He said though there was a decision of duty free and quota free facilities for Bangladeshi exports, it has not been implemented yet fully.

Businesses are yet to take advantage of the DFQF facilities in the Chinese market, Momen mentioned, seeking measures from the Chinese side.

Momen described the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 as a milestone but mentioned that many decisions in terms of investment are yet to be implemented.

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh also mentioned China's involvement in a number of important development projects including rail link of Padma Bridge.

He also thanked the Chinese government for its support to Bangladesh during Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chinese Foreign Minister invited Momen to visit Beijing at a mutually convenient time.

In reply, Momen also invited his Chinese counterpart to come again for a longer stay.

Foreign Minister Momen saw off his Chinese counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:50 am on Tuesday.

Earlier, Momen told UNB that it was not an official visit to Bangladesh, but the Chinese foreign minister would make a stopover here on his way to another destination.

Qin Gang, who until recently was ambassador to the US, has started his term with a weeklong trip to five African countries.

To "deepen the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership" and boost friendly cooperation between China and Africa, Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, the African Union Headquarters and the League of Arab States Headquarters upon invitation, from January 9 to 16, 2023," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily media briefing on Monday.

This is the 33rd consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of the Chinese foreign ministers' annual first overseas visit, he added.

The news report conveniently talks about the protocol but avoids reporting the core points of discussions.

The Chinese FM comes when one US assistant Secretary just left Dhaka and another asst. Secretary Donald Lu is coming for a hand twisting visit.

Hasina needs China to get more dollar funds to pay back the arrears. But, America does not concern itself with the Hasina difficulties. It wants direct BD participation in its two organizations that will weaken Beijing’ s clout in Dhaka.

America-India axis knows well that with more loan money from China, BD will only fall more into Chinese trap.

But Hasina does not care for BD after she dies. She wants more China money that will keep her legacy intact.

Hasina’s policy is wrong. Tell me of one country that has really developed economy with foreign borrowing but without industrialization. Hasina wants a shortcut for development because she has little knowledge of the process of national economic development. I see many brats in the PDF think similarly.

Idiot people think alike.

 

[Tom-tom]

The news report conveniently talks about the protocol but avoids reporting the core points of discussions.

The Chinese FM comes when one US assistant Secretary just left Dhaka and another asst. Secretary Donald Lu is coming for a hand twisting visit.

Hasina needs China to get more dollar funds to pay back the arrears. But, America does not concern itself with the Hasina difficulties. It wants direct BD participation in its two organizations that will weaken Beijing’ s clout in Dhaka.

America-India axis knows well that with more loan money from China, BD will only fall more into Chinese trap.

But Hasina does not care for BD after she dies. She wants more China money that will keep her legacy intact.

Hasina’s policy is wrong. Tell me of one country that has really developed economy with foreign borrowing but without industrialization. Hasina wants a non-available shirt cut because she has little knowledge on the process of national economic development. I see many brats in the PDF think similarly.

Idiot people think alike.

Only a few exceptional countries have fallen knee deep in Chinese debt trap. This is due to their own fault, poor planning and poor vision.

This Chinese debt trap is just a myth .

 

[bluesky]

Only a few exceptional countries have fallen knee deep in Chinese debt trap. This is due to their own fault, poor planning and poor vision.

This Chinese debt trap is just a myth .

And you think taking loans from many sources is not a recipe for BD to get knee-deep in Chinese debt.

Now, tell which countries borrowed and got developed. The development comes from the initiatives taken by the local people and it does not happen if a country does not produce more wealth.

And rapid industrialization is what is needed to produce new wealth. Give me your arguments if you disagree with what I stated for a country of 180 million. This shameless country even begs Holland for constructing sea dikes/polders, and you guys think it is development.

Did that small Holland ever beg your Golden BD when doing similar jobs? Its people worked hard to make it happen and not by begging.

 

[etylo]

Only a few exceptional countries have fallen knee deep in Chinese debt trap. This is due to their own fault, poor planning and poor vision.

This Chinese debt trap is just a myth .

Developing countries should be more worried about Anglo Saxon evil world domination instead of your fake Chinese debt traps.

 

[Skull and Bones]

China can sleep in peace after getting reassurances of Bangladeshi commitment to one China policy. No nation in right mind can bear the wrath of Bangladeshi navy.

@Imran Khan

 

[renhai]

Now, tell which countries borrowed and got developed.

Greece

Indonesia

bolivia

Bolivia says China to lend $7 billion for energy, transport infrastructure

Bolivia's vice president on Monday said the Andean country will receive a $7 billion credit line from China to finance investment in hydroelectric energy and road and rail infrastructure.

www.reuters.com

Turkey

China-backed AIIB to lend $500 million to two Turkish development banks By Reuters

China-backed AIIB to lend $500 million to two Turkish development banks

www.google.co.jp

Egypt

China lends Egypt $1.2bn for railway to new capital - Global Construction Review

China has signed a deal to lend Egypt $1.2bn for the construction of a 68km electric railway running from the outskirts of Cairo to the planned New Administrative Capital in…

www.globalconstructionreview.com

etc.

Can you tell me what you want to do with these Chinese loans?

Build a villa with sea view?
Buy a Lamborghini?
build a statue of personal worship?

 

[bluesky]

Greece

Indonesia

bolivia

Bolivia says China to lend $7 billion for energy, transport infrastructure

Bolivia's vice president on Monday said the Andean country will receive a $7 billion credit line from China to finance investment in hydroelectric energy and road and rail infrastructure.

www.reuters.com

Turkey

China-backed AIIB to lend $500 million to two Turkish development banks By Reuters

China-backed AIIB to lend $500 million to two Turkish development banks

www.google.co.jp

Egypt

China lends Egypt $1.2bn for railway to new capital - Global Construction Review

China has signed a deal to lend Egypt $1.2bn for the construction of a 68km electric railway running from the outskirts of Cairo to the planned New Administrative Capital in…

www.globalconstructionreview.com

etc.

Can you tell me what you want to do with these Chinese loans?

Build a villa with sea view?
Buy a Lamborghini?
build a statue of personal worship?

No, Greece has been developing with tourist money for more than a century. Then it switched to other sectors. Athens has always been a transit point for foreign trade of many European countries that started with the collapse of Crusader power in 1291.

There were a few infusions of foreign money there in the last few years when the Greece economy was on the verge of collapse due to mismanagement by the govt. But, its development started many centuries ago.

Similarly, Singapore's economy developed with the start of Singapore's deep sea port. It then switched to many other sectors.

Both countries developed with the wealth that they created by themselves and with their own manpower.

Now, tell me which country developed with Chinese money. Do not say the names of a few African countries where Chinese money built a few roads and infrastructures. China will now steal these countries' minerals.

But, this is loan trapping and not development. BD must not follow this stupid path. There is no shortcut route for development and not without building industries when the population is very high. BD has 180 million people.

 

[etylo]

W

No, Greece has been developing with tourist money for more than a century. Then it switched to other sectors. Athens has always been a transit point for foreign trade of many European countries that started with the collapse of Crusader power in 1291.

There were a few infusions of foreign money there in the last few years when the Greece economy was on the verge of collapse due to mismanagement by the govt. But, its development started many centuries ago.

Similarly, Singapore's economy developed with the start of Singapore's deep sea port. It then switched to many other sectors.

Both countries developed with the wealth that they created by themselves and with their own manpower.

Now, tell me which country developed with Chinese money. Do not say the names of a few African countries where Chinese money built a few roads and infrastructures. China will now steal these countries' minerals.

But, this is loan trapping and not development. BD must not follow this stupid path. There is no shortcut route for development and not without building industries when the population is very high. BD has 180 million people.

What do you the fk mean that Chinese going to steal the minerals from African countries ? China has to pay the minerals at market prices, much better than the West would pay. Dont BS and slander China here.

Personally, I dont care much about Africa and maybe other far away lands, Chinese dont owe Africans a shit. I prefer China to pay more attention and invest more in regions such as Southeast Asia and Central Asia that matter to China.

 

[renhai]

No, Greece has been developing with tourist money for more than a century. Then it switched to other sectors. Athens has always been a transit point for foreign trade of many European countries that started with the collapse of Crusader power in 1291.

There were a few infusions of foreign money there in the last few years when the Greece economy was on the verge of collapse due to mismanagement by the govt. But, its development started many centuries ago.

Similarly, Singapore's economy developed with the start of Singapore's deep sea port. It then switched to many other sectors.

Both countries developed with the wealth that they created by themselves and with their own manpower.

Now, tell me which country developed with Chinese money. Do not say the names of a few African countries where Chinese money built a few roads and infrastructures. China will now steal these countries' minerals.

But, this is loan trapping and not development. BD must not follow this stupid path. There is no shortcut route for development and not without building industries when the population is very high. BD has 180 million people.

Yes. I totally agree with you.

PIIGS began to develop very early.

PIIGS just lacks loans and has no other industrial structure issues.

I never have expectations for African countries. Even South Africa, the "only industrialized country in Africa". this is a land full of warlords, war and crime.

There is a Chinese who has a very accurate evaluation of Africa: "What an excellent matching mechanism".....

I don't think the loan will allow a country to complete industrialization. I believe everyone knows. The question is "Is there anything wrong with China's loans?"

yeah. It is wrong for China to provide loans. I believe if there is no Chinese loan. these countries will develop better. If there is no Chinese loan. these countries have completed industrialization.

China stopped lending. you will develop better. I don't have any problems.

 

[Bilal9]

Here is Pinaki's analysis on why Chinese FM Qin Gang made a stop over in Dhaka on his way to Africa.

It's mainly in Bengali - but the sum total of it is that there is rivalry between China and the US re: US efforts to get Bangladesh to join IPS i.e. "QUAD".

And the visit of FM Qin Gang was to drive home to to Bangladesh administration about NOT joining IPS (Quad), which Bangladesh already confirmed.

 

[Bilal9]

What Was Behind the Chinese Foreign Minister’s Midnight Stopover in Bangladesh?​

Ahead of his planned tour of African countries, Qin Gang made a surprise stop in Dhaka.

By Shannon Tiezzi
January 11, 2023

Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, where the Chinese and Bangladeshi foreign ministers held a brief meeting early in the morning on Jan. 10, 2023.

For 32 consecutive years, China has made of a point of sending its foreign minister to Africa for the first diplomatic trip of the new year. Newly appointed Foreign Minister Qin Gang was set to continue the trend into 2023, with scheduled visits to “Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, the African Union Headquarters and the League of Arab States Headquarters… from January 9 to 16, 2023,” according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

But before Qin arrived in Ethiopia, he actually made a surprise stop somewhere else.

During what China’s Foreign Ministry described as “a technical stopover,” Qin “had a brief meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen at an airport in Dhaka.”

“The two sides spoke highly of the friendship between China and Bangladesh, and agreed to strengthen exchanges in the new year and jointly work for new progress in bilateral relations,” the ministry said in a statement.

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

The ministry offered no further detail or explanation, including at the regular daily press conference on January 10.

The unexpected visit was odd, especially as it undermines China’s longstanding tradition of honoring ties with African countries early in January each year. In an attempt to avoid that complication, both China and Bangladesh emphasized that it was not an “official” visit but merely a “stopover.” But the fact remains that Qin’s first in-person meeting of the new year – and, in fact, his first such meeting since assuming office – was with Bangladesh’s foreign minister, not an official from an African state.

The timing of the visit suggests urgency in another way as well: According to Bangladeshi media, “Foreign Minister Momen received his Chinese counterpart upon his arrival at around 1:58am.” The two spoke for less than an hour, with Qin departing at around 2:50 a.m.

What needed to be discussed so badly that Bangladesh’s foreign minister headed to the airport for a middle-of-the-night conference?

While Beijing’s readout offered little clue, Momen was more forthcoming. In comments to Bangladeshi media after the meeting, he stressed that his conversation with Qin touched on the massive trade deficit between the two countries. Bangladesh imports around $13 billion worth of goods from China each year, while its exports to China are stuck at under $800 million. That over $12 billion deficit is of special concern to Dhaka given the shaky condition of its foreign exchange reserves amid the global economic turmoil sparked by the war in Ukraine.

Frustration was evident in Momen’s comments about unfulfilled promises from China. He noted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2016 visit to Bangladesh resulted in many investment pledges that have not materialized over six years later. Momen also complained that a previous agreement to remove duties and quotas on 98 percent of Bangladeshi goods has not been implemented.

On Bangladesh’s side, another one of its top priorities is seeking a resolution to the Rohingya refugee crisis. Over 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are currently living in camps near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border; most have been there since 2017, when Myanmar’s military launched a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya. Straining under the burden of providing for over a million refugees, Dhaka wants to push forward with repatriation as quickly as possible.

That prospect however, looks more remote than ever in the wake of the 2021 coup in Myanmar, which sparked a new round of violence.

China is one of the foreign governments closest to the new military junta, and Bangladesh wants Beijing to use its influence to raise the Rohingya issue. As the Dhaka Tribune put it, citing Momen, “The Bangladesh Foreign Minister sought special measures from the Chinese side so that the problem could be resolved as soon as possible.”

In return, Momen offered China reassurances about Bangladesh’s neutral stance in the geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington. “We maintain a balanced foreign policy. This is our principle,” Moment told reporters. He assured Qin that Bangladesh will “extend our support to you from time to time.”

The United States and China “might have their own problems. That is their headache, not ours,” he continued. “We want to maintain good relations with both.”

That said, Dhaka seems aware that its friendly ties with all parties in the geopolitical competition opened a window of opportunity for Bangladesh: “We are getting much importance,” as Momen put it.

On that note, Qin’s surprise stopover in Bangladesh comes just ahead of a flurry of U.S. diplomatic activity. Eileen Laubacher, the senior director for South Asia at the White House’s National Security Council, arrived in Dhaka for a four-day visit on January 7; she met with Momen on January 9. Donald Lu, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, is expected to follow suit on January 15.

Perhaps these visits from U.S. officials helped motivate Qin’s own visit, however brief. Likewise, the nighttime conversation with Qin might provide Momen with some implied ammunition in his talks with U.S. counterparts.

Qin, meanwhile, has now begun his planned Africa tour, landing in Ethiopia on January 10.