US envoy’s comment irresponsible, utterly unfounded
Diplomatic Correspondent :
China on Thursday pushed back strongly against comments made by the newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, calling on Washington to recognise its responsibilities and focus on actions that support Bangladesh’s stability and regional development.
In a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, a spokesperson refuted remarks attributed to US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, who recently expressed concern over what he described as China’s “broader influence” in South Asia and said the United States would articulate to Bangladesh the risks of engagement with China in certain areas.
“Such remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh are irresponsible and utterly unfounded,” the spokesperson said. “They confuse right and wrong, and are completely out of ulterior motives.”
The Chinese side emphasized that China-Bangladesh relations are based on equality, mutual respect, and tangible benefits for both peoples.
“Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Bangladesh have always supported each other, treated one another as equals, and engaged in win-win cooperation,” the statement said, adding that bilateral cooperation has contributed to regional development and stability.
Rejecting any third-party interference, the spokesperson said cooperation between China and Bangladesh “is a matter between the two countries and their peoples, and brooks no interference or finger-pointing by the US side.”
The statement went on to urge Washington to recalibrate its approach. “We urge the US side to be more aware of its responsibilities, and focus more on actions that are conducive to Bangladesh’s stability as well as the development and cooperation in the region,” the spokesperson said.
The response came a day after Ambassador Christensen, speaking at his maiden view exchange with some journalistsin Dhaka on Wednesday, reiterated concerns raised during his Senate confirmation hearing.
“I am concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia. I think the United States government has been very clear about that,” he said.
Christensen added that he had committed to engaging with Bangladesh’s government, whether interim or elected, to “clearly articulate the risks of involvement with the Chinese in certain areas” if Dhaka chose that path.
He also highlighted growing US-Bangladesh military-to-military cooperation, describing it as strong and steadily expanding.