The geo-politics of Bangladesh-China relations
It is quite appreciable that the Government of Bangladesh has adopted a balanced foreign policy. It is applying the ‘friendship to all, animosity to none’ principle of our constitution quite effectively, serving the legitimate and just national interest of Bangladesh, while contributing to the maintenance of the right regional and continental balance of power. Saudi Arabia’s lifting of the long ban on recruiting Bangladeshi workers is a vivid example of the outcome of the government’s endeavors.
In this process, the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping is one of the most significant events in the diplomatic and geo-political history of Bangladesh. For last couple of decades the position of the President has become the most significant in China, ahead of the General Secretary of the Communist Party. However, the Chinese have devised a way where both positions are normally held by the same person, who in turn becomes the most powerful political figure in the Chinese system. This visit is, hence, the first of its kind in reality, despite the visit of a Chinese President in 1986 and a Premier in the early years of this decade. The visit of such a high profile global figure from China to Bangladesh signifies the kind of importance China nowadays attaches to Bangladesh.
The current Prime Minister, quite intelligently, undertook the initiative of ice-breaking between the Awami League and the Chinese leadership while she was the leader of the opposition, and the Chinese reciprocated wholeheartedly. It was in the context of a perceived coldness emanating from 1971 and the seventies. It was a fitting and timely initiative given the reality of economic miracles being achieved by China and the secular and, still to a great extent, pro-commoners nature of the Chinese state. Perhaps, China can’t anymore be termed as a communist republic in the classical sense, in light of its spectacular economic rise driven by Special Economic Zones initially in the early eighties and domestic private entrepreneurships later. Now both the governments share the same global anti-terror platform too.
It hardly requires a mention that China is almost a global superpower now. In economic terms, it already is; militarily, perhaps a superpower in waiting. But already China is very much a continental power in all senses. However, coping rightly with China’s largely peaceful rise to the stature of a major power is a delicate job in the geo-political sphere of Asia, especially in the Indian Ocean maritime domain, where there are other established and aspiring powers. The U.S is still the dominant military force globally and in the Indian Ocean.
After the fall of the communist bloc in early nineties and with the metamorphosis of China into a mixed ideology state, there has slowly been a paradigm shift in international politics. Geo-politics was and still is in a flux with the absence of cold war like ideological alignments. National security and economic interest have come in the forefront. Therefore, we can see economic cooperation, for example, between the US and China and also India and China despite some disputes among them in terms of geo-politics and other bilateral relations.
We have no dispute with China and hence Bangladesh-China relations can grow almost unrestricted. However, the reality is Bangladesh is surrounded by India from three sides. Parts of northern, eastern and north-eastern India, along with us, are part of the same Ganges-Brahmaputra basin of the contiguous plains in which India is the upper riparian state. India is still the second largest trading partner of Bangladesh, after China recently replaced it for the top spot. Also the cultural similarity, common history and India’s help during the liberation war of Bangladesh have encouraged reestablishment of the special Bangladesh-India relations in recent times. India’s support in the anti-terror stand of Bangladesh and non-interference in the war crime trials have boosted relations. Bangladesh and US also share the same anti-terror ground and the U.S is a major destination of Bangladeshi exports.
However, despite the good state to state relations the rise of the right wing Hindutva political forces has created some unease among the liberal political forces of Bangladesh. Domestically such forces have used anti-Bangladeshi rhetoric during elections especially in the Indian states neighbouring Bangladesh. In South Asian context, Bangladesh’s support for India in the Indo-Pak acrimony is quite useful for India diplomatically. But Bangladesh should be careful about becoming too close in rhetoric to the right wing forces which are becoming very strong in India. Since they harass and persecute Muslim minorities and raises anti-Bangladesh slogans in eastern states of India, a distancing from them is positive for Bangladesh.
Ensuring some security balance is necessary. With the “Islamic world” falling apart and the US taking lesser interest in regional matters of South Asia what’s our safeguard, if say, the hawks take over ruling BJP completely? While we don’t need to make it a public discourse issue now and create a self-fulfilling prophecy in this part of south Asia, yet we should also be careful not to put all our eggs in the same basket.
We need Chinese friendship to counteract such potential threats. China, on the other hand, needs alternate access to the Indian Ocean for trade and energy supply purposes. In fact India itself is part of BCIM initiative which is very much in line with China’s ‘one belt one road’ economic connectivity agenda. China also wants to dish out the labor intensive manufacturing of its private entrepreneurs to countries with cheaper labor e.g. Bangladesh, as it has already reached mid-income status and looking to climb up the value chain. All these make a case for some genuine alliance between Bangladesh and China. China has a stable vision for Asia and we perfectly fit into it. We shall surely not discard India or the U.S, neither should we get tied in their disputes.
Understanding the geo-political nuances and how our and the region’s fair and legitimate interest play out in this is imperative. Also crucial are maintenance of a fine balance and having geo-political farsightedness. We hope our policy and decision makers have the proper insight of all these complexities.
Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury is a freelance commentator on politics, international relations and society. He is a former military officer and currently working for BRAC Institute of Governance and Development. (Discla
2:00 AM, October 15, 2016 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:52 AM, October 15, 2016
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Dhaka, Beijing upgrade ties; sign biggest ever investment deals; agree on Silk Road initiative
China considers Bangladesh as an important partner in South Asia region and wants to elevate practical relations between the two countries to a higher level, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a statement moments after landing at Dhaka airport yesterday.
Only hours later, he translated his words into actions, as China inked with Bangladesh 27 deals worth $24.45 billion in soft loan for various key development projects.
And as the Chinese president was attending the deal signing ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office, 13 Bangladeshi entities and as many Chinese companies at a city hotel signed 13 joint venture agreements involving $13.6 billion of Chinese investment in Bangladesh to boost bilateral trade.
Together, the sum of $38.05 billion is the biggest ever assistance pledged to Bangladesh by any single country.
"China-Bangladesh relationship is now at a new historical starting point and heading towards a promising future," said Xi in a statement at the signing ceremony at the PMO.
The Chinese leader also promised that his country would continue to do its best to provide capital, technological and human resources to carry out more cooperation on big projects with Bangladesh to support its economic and social development.
Minutes before the signing, he held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina where the two leaders agreed to
elevate bilateral ties to strategic-partnership cooperation. "I had very fruitful discussions with President Xi on bilateral, regional and international issues of our common interests," Hasina said in her statement, adding they agreed to work closely and support each other on these issues.Considered by many as the most powerful leader in China after Mao Zedong, Xi Jinping arrived in Dhaka on a two-day state visit.
This is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Bangladesh in 30 years. Li Xiannian was the last Chinese president to come to Dhaka in March 1986.
"I hope to use this visit to chart the course for future growth of China-Bangladesh relations from a strategic and long-term prospective together with the leaders of Bangladesh," Xi said in his statement at the airport.
Strategic partnership in international relations goes beyond simply strengthening cooperation between two countries. This privileged status is commonly associated with security issues, but also covers a wide range of bilateral relations from defense to education, health to development, and also economic relations including trade, investment and banking.
On his arrival, Xi was given a warm reception. Flanked by a dozen of ministers, President Abdul Hamid received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid 21-gun salute. Xi was also given a guard of honour there.
A special VVIP flight of Air China carrying the Chinese president landed in Dhaka at 11:36am. As his flight entered the Bangladesh airspace, four aircrafts of Bangladesh Air Force escorted it.
His visit comes only months after the high-profile visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry and nearly one and a half years after that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
WHY FOCUS ON BANGLADESH?
Prior to his visit, it was widely discussed that the Chinese leader's visit will
serve to deepen strategic cooperation to build a new Silk Road economic belt under China's Belt and Road Initiative -- a highly ambitious project masterminded by Xi.
"Xi Jinping's visit will promote the implementation of the 'Belt and Road Initiative' in Bangladesh," said a report of China Central Television yesterday.
Before flying in Dhaka, Xi visited Cambodia and roped the country into his initiative.
During his meeting with Hasina, he pursued his initiative.
"We agreed to form synergy between our respective development strategies, jointly advance the Belt and Road initiative…" Xi said in the statement after the talks.
"Bangladesh is willing to actively work with China within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative and support the building of an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar," reports Xinhua, Chinese official news agency, quoting Hasina as saying.
The Chinese leader also explained his idea of Belt and Road initiative to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia during their meeting, a meeting source said.
"Implementation of the Belt and Road initiative is required for desired developments in Asian countries," the meeting source quoted Xi as telling Khaleda.
The South Asian region, which has not been in China's focus in the past, has become more important in recent years, especially after China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, said Jiang Jingkui, director of the Center of South Asian Studies at Peking University.
"To some extent, the South Asian region is also one of China's backyards," he said, adding that the northern part of South Asia is key for the (Silk Road Economic) Belt, while the southern part is important for the (21st Century Maritime Silk) Road, said a China Daily report.
Bangladesh has been positive in implementing the China-India-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor, and Xi's visit will bring more practical cooperative results for the two countries, he said.
Ye Hailin, director of the Center of South Asia Studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Bangladesh, as an important South Asian country located off the Bay of Bengal, can be China's key partner in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, also known as “Belt and Road”, according to a report of the People's Daily on Thursday.
Chai Xi, former Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, believes that the president's visit is of great importance.
The visit will surely yield concrete fruits for the construction of the “Belt and Road” and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor as Bangladesh occupies a key position along both routes, the People's Daily reported, quoting the ambassador.
The Chinese leader focused on South Asian countries to implement his dream project. He has already visited India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and China inked deals worth billions of dollars for development projects in those countries.
In the last three years, Xi visited many countries along the ancient Silk Route, and Beijing signed many deals with the countries, promising to invest billions of dollars in different sectors, particularly for infrastructure development.
Under the "One Belt, One Road" initiative comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the Asian giant is focusing on building a trade and infrastructure network for connecting Asian countries with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.
China, the world's largest exporter of goods since 2009, needs such a network to maintain its double digit growth by opening new markets for its consumer goods and to increase its dominance over the region in a peaceful manner in the name of trade, say analysts.
Beijing looks to garner international favour through a massive investment effort in Europe and Asia to surpass the US on the world stage, said Sputnik in a report on June 3.
In recent years, China planned infrastructure projects involving over $200 billion for construction, and $1 trillion for other projects are on the horizon, dwarfing US foreign investment by several orders of magnitude, mentioned the online news and radio broadcast service established by the Russian government-controlled news agency Rossiya Segodnya.
The “Belt and Road” initiative has gathered substantial pace in the last three years.
In November 2014, China announced the creation of a $40 billion Silk Road Fund. Under China's leadership, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was set up by 21 countries with a registered capital of $100 billion in October last year for funding Asian energy, transport and infrastructure projects.
"So far, up to 34 countries and international organisations have inked deals with China to build the Belt and Road Initiative, while over 70 countries and organisations have voiced support for and willingness to join the initiative," said China's official news agency Xinhua in a report on June 17 this year.
WHAT'S SILK ROAD
The original Silk Road came into being during the westward expansion of China's Han Dynasty more than 2,100 years ago. It forged trade networks throughout what are today the Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, as well as modern-day Pakistan and India to the South. Those routes eventually extended over 4,000 miles to Europe.
Under the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, China is now working to build an economic land belt that includes countries on the original Silk Road through Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as well as a maritime road that links China's port facilities with the African coast, pushing up through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean.
China has also announced investing in port development throughout the Indian Ocean, and in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Pakistan to accommodate expanding maritime trade traffic.
The joint statement on strategic partnership of cooperation by Xi and Hasina yesterday said the proposed “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” would bring important opportunities for Bangladesh's goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a Developed country by 2041.
The statement added: “The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Chinese side conveyed its support for Bangladesh's efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining national security and stability and expressed its readiness to cooperate through sharing of information, capacity building and training with Bangladeshi side. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a dialogue mechanism on countering terrorism.”
China, Bangladesh lift ties to strategic partnership of cooperation
Source: Xinhua | 2016-10-15 00:19:58 | Editor: huaxia
DHAKA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President
Xi Jinping held talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday and the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation.
During the meeting, Xi said the closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation the two sides forged in 2010 has yielded fruitful results, with bilateral cooperation advancing steadily in political, economic, cultural and security areas and on international and regional affairs.
China highly values its friendly cooperative ties with Bangladesh and will continue to offer support within its capacity for the economic and social development of the South Asian country, Xi said.
China stands ready to push forward bilateral practical cooperation by aligning the development strategies of the two countries, said the Chinese president.
Noting that China is striving for its "two centenary goals" while Bangladesh is pursuing its "Sonar Bangla" dream of national strength and prosperity, Xi added that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative can dovetail with Bangladesh's cooperation strategies with the outside world.
The "two centenary goals" refer to China's aspiration to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turn the People's Republic of China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the time it celebrates its centenary in 2049.
Since establishing diplomatic ties 41 years ago, China and Bangladesh have adhered to "the five principles of peaceful co-existence" and have each respected and supported the development path and domestic and foreign policies the other side has undertaken in accordance with its national conditions, said Xi.
Now in their pursuit of development, the two countries should be friends and partners that trust and support each other and advance practical cooperation to reap even richer fruits, so as to inject more impetus into bilateral ties, added the Chinese president.
Hasina, for her part, said the traditional friendship between Bangladesh and China, forged by the two countries' leaders of the older generation, enjoys deeply rooted public support in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh admires China's economic achievement, and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China while pursuing its "Sonar Bangla" dream, said the prime minister.
Bangladesh, she added, is willing to actively work with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and support the building of an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, so as to push forward development in various fields such as electricity, energy, technology, agriculture, water resources, investment, transportation infrastructure and connectivity.
The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.
Bangladesh resolutely adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to maintain mutual understanding and support with the Chinese side on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, she said.
Meanwhile, the two sides agreed to deepen political mutual trust, enhance high-level exchanges and expand communication at all levels between their governments, legislatures, parties and peoples.
They vowed to strengthen the synergy of their development strategies, fully tap the potential for bilateral cooperation, and jointly push forward the Belt and Road Initiative.
They also pledged to enhance cooperation within the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, expand bilateral trade, and map out new major cooperation projects, especially in such key areas as infrastructure construction, production capacity, energy and power, transportation, information and telecommunication and agriculture.
The two countries also agreed to seek cooperation in new fields including maritime affairs, water resources, and science and technology.
Vowing to strengthen people-to-people exchanges so as to further boost the traditional China-Bangladesh friendship, they designated 2017 as the Year of China-Bangladesh Friendly Exchanges in a bid to expand cooperation in cultural and education areas, boost tourism and facilitate exchanges between their media organizations, youths, women's organizations and local governments.
Besides, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation within the
United Nations and other international organizations, and strengthen coordination on such global issues as development, energy and food security.
They also pledged to boost connectivity, development and prosperity in the region by strengthening multilateral and bilateral cooperation within the framework of South-South cooperation.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a string of cooperation documents covering such areas as the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative, production capacity cooperation, information and telecommunication, energy and power, diplomatic affairs, maritime affairs, disaster prevention and alleviation, and climate change.
The two sides also issued a joint statement about the upgrading of bilateral ties to the strategic partnership of cooperation.
Xi arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for a state visit, the first by a Chinese head of state to this South Asian nation in 30 years.
Bangladesh is the second leg of Xi's visit, which already took him to Cambodia. He will also travel to the western Indian state of Goa for a summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which groups Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Ties at new historical starting point
China-Bangladesh relationship is now at a "new historical starting point" and heading towards a promising future, visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday.
"China is ready to work with Bangladesh to move along the path of development as friends and partners who trust and support each other and to add more substance to the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation," he said.
The Chinese president was making press statements following a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the signing of 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements between the two countries at the Prime Minister's Office.
Terming his meeting with Hasina "warm and productive", Xi said they reached agreements on a number of important issues.
He said both the countries agreed to elevate their relationship from a "closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation" to a "strategic partnership of cooperation".
The countries agreed to jointly advance the "belt and road initiative", he said, adding that they also agreed to launch a joint feasibility study on a China-Bangladesh FTA (free-trade agreement) to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, and strengthen practical cooperation in key areas like infrastructure, production, capacity, energy and power, transportation, ICT and agriculture.
The Chinese president said they agreed to establish and carry out institutionalised cooperation in areas like maritime affairs and counter terrorism, jointly advance the BCIM economic corridor and increase communication and co-ordination on international and regional issues of shared interest.
Terming Bangladesh and China "good neighbours, good friends and good partners," Xi said China will continue to do its best to provide capital, technological and human resources, and carry out more cooperation on big projects with Bangladesh to support its economic and social development.
"We agreed to designate the year of 2017 as the year of exchange and friendship between China and Bangladesh during which colourful events will be held to carry forward traditional friendship between our two countries.
"This way China-Bangladesh cooperation will deliver more fruits to our people and also contribute to peace, stability and development in the region," he added.
Xi hoped that he would use this visit to chart the course for future growth of China-Bangladesh relations from a strategic and long-term perspective together with the leaders of Bangladesh.
Later in the day, the Chinese president met President Abdul Hamid at the Cabinet Hall of Bangabhaban.
During the meeting, Xi appreciated Bangladesh's economic stability and mentioned that Bangladesh is a very important country in South Asia, reports UNB.
He said the diplomatic relations between the two countries that established 41 years ago is being expanded day by day.
Referring to his meeting with PM Hasina, he said they agreed to work together and have a master plan to expand the relations further.
'IMPORTANT PARTNER IN SOUTH ASIA'
In an arrival statement at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Xi Jinping said China considers Bangladesh as an important partner in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, reported the China Daily.
"We are ready to work with the Bangladeshi side to further deepen our political mutual trust and elevate our relations and practical cooperation to a higher level," he said.
"In the 41 years of our diplomatic relations, China-Bangladesh ties have kept moving forward," Xi said in the statement.
The Chinese president pointed out that China and Bangladesh face similar task of development.
He said the Chinese dream to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is "in perfect harmony" with Bangladesh's dream of a "Sonar Bangla" (golden Bangla).
"I look forward to having broad and in-depth exchange of views with President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other Bangladeshi leaders on China-Bangladesh relations and issues of mutual interests to chart the course for our future cooperation and jointly usher in a new chapter in our bilateral relations," he added.
Upon his arrival, he also said China attaches great importance to relations with Bangladesh and is ready to join hands with the country to lift their bilateral relations and practical cooperation to a higher level, Xinhua reporte
$24bn loan will build power plants, seaport, railways
·
Reuters,·
Published at 01:42 AM October 15, 2016
'Our infrastructure needs are big, so we need huge loans'
China is set to sign off on loans worth over $24 billion to Bangladesh during President Xi Jinping’s visit on Friday, Dhaka’s biggest foreign credit line to date that will help it build power plants, a seaport and railways.
Xi’s trip, the first by a Chinese president in 30 years, is aimed at boosting China’s involvement in infrastructure projects at a time when India is pushing investments of its own in Bangladesh, a country New Delhi considers its area of influence.
China plans to finance around 25 projects, including a 1,320 megawatt (MW) power plant, and is also keen to build a deep sea port.
“Xi’s visit will set a new milestone. Record amount of loan agreements will be signed during the visit, roughly $24bn,” he said.
Among the proposed projects are highways and information technology development, he said. “Our infrastructure needs are big, so we need huge loans.”
China’s TBEA signed a power grid deal worth $1.6bn with Dhaka Power, following a pact that Jiangsu Etern’s consortium signed on Thursday to strengthen Bangladesh’s power grid network valued at $1.1bn.
Beijing is especially keen to revive a plan to build a deep sea port in Sonadia which has been on hold for years, officials said.
Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said both India and China supported development in Bangladesh, and that it did not have to be one or the other.
China is currently Bangladesh’s biggest trade partner with annual turnover of around $10bn which is heavily in favour of Beijing.
Bangladesh has backed Xi’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to boost trade and transport links across Asia and into Europe, seeing it as an opportunity to lift growth.
India has reservations about the plan, amid worries that it is an attempt to build a vast zone of Chinese influence.
Beijing had proposed an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and northern India, but New Delhi did not seem keen on the idea, Zhao said.
Xi visited Dhaka en route to a BRICS summit of the world’s leading emerging economies in Goa, India.
Xi promises more cooperation in big projects; 27 agreements, MoUs signed
·
Tribune Online Report,·
Published at 04:23 PM October 14, 2016
China is ready to work with Bangladesh
and extend more cooperation in big projects here, said Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping has assured Bangladesh of more cooperation in big projects.
He said this during a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Friday.
Starting at 3:15pm, the meeting ended around 4:15pm on Friday.
In the meeting, heads of the two governments signed 27 deals – 15 Memorandums of Understanding and 12 loan and framework agreements – on different projects.
President Xi held a press briefing after meeting.
He said China is ready to work with Bangladesh and extend more cooperation in big projects here.
Afterwards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also took the podium and briefed journalists. She hoped that with
cooperation from China, Bangladesh will be able to reach its goal to become a middle-income country by 2021. She wished that the friendship between the two countries will grow stronger in the coming days.
Bilateral trade issues, Chinese investment in Bangladesh and connectivity were likely to top the agenda in the meeting between the heads of governments of the two countries.
