Staff Reporter :
At the invitation of China’s Foreign Minister, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, will undertake a bilateral visit to China from January 20-24. The visit aims to chart a future roadmap for strengthening relations between the two countries.
“The visit will focus on enhancing economic cooperation, expanding trade and investment, and reviewing ongoing collaborations in sectors like agriculture, education, infrastructure, renewable energy, and the resolution of the Rohingya crisis,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Rafiqul Alam during a press briefing on Thursday.
He emphasised that China is a significant strategic partner for Bangladesh and one of its largest commercial and developmental allies. The bilateral ties have recently been elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
Regarding trade imbalances, Rafiqul Alam noted, “The annual trade volume between Bangladesh and China stands at nearly $25 billion, though the trade balance is currently skewed against Bangladesh. Discussions during the visit will address this issue and explore avenues to increase Chinese investment in various sectors.”
“During the visit, discussions are expected to center on addressing the trade imbalance and increasing Chinese investment in various sectors of Bangladesh,” he added.
He also highlighted that the visit is particularly important as it will be the first bilateral visit of Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser since the formation of the interim government in August.
“It presents a major opportunity to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” he added.
About the schedule of Foreign Adviser’s visit, he said, “During the visit, Foreign Adviser will meet with China’s Foreign Minister for a bilateral meeting where discussions will take place on various areas of mutual interest.”
The Spokesperson also pointed out that Bangladesh and China are set to celebrate the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations in 2025, and both countries have planned various programs to mark this milestone. This visit will serve as the inaugural event for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Following the mass upsurge in July and August, China became the first country to send a high-level delegation of 10 medical professionals from the National Health Commission of China to Bangladesh.
The delegation visited various hospitals, providing medical assistance and assuring the establishment of a specialised hospital and rehabilitation center for the treatment of those injured during the protests, the Spokesperson said.
“Bangladesh is expected to discuss this matter further during the visit,” he added.
He also said that Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain is also expected to deliver speeches at the China Institute of International Studies and the Shanghai Institute of International Studies.
Additionally, a meeting with business representatives from Shanghai is expected to take place, focusing on boosting Chinese investment in Bangladesh, he added.
Shedding lights on current situation of Bangladeshi Diaspora in the Mozambique amid political instability, Rafiqul Alam said, “The nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi expatriates residing in Mozambique, mainly involved in business, faced significant financial and psychological hardships due to political unrest over Presidential election.”
“The Bangladeshi community in Mozambique has been the hardest hit by this turmoil. The protests and violence have led to the looting and complete destruction of around 300-500 Bangladeshi-owned shops,” he said.
“Many Bangladeshis have lost everything as their businesses were destroyed. Bangladeshis residing in Maputo, Nampula, and Zambezia provinces have suffered the most. The majority of Bangladeshis in Mozambique are involved in business, primarily running grocery stores, while some are engaged in agriculture,” he added.
About the safety of Bangladeshi people, he said, “The Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon, which is responsible for Mozambique, has been in regular contact with the leaders of the Bangladeshi community to ensure the safety of the expatriates.”
He further said that a small number of expatriate Bangladeshis are planning to send their family members back to Bangladesh. The exact number of those intending to return is yet to be determined, he added.
Given the circumstances and the geographic proximity, the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria has been instructed to travel to Blantyre, Malawi, to provide necessary services and assistance to those wishing to return to Bangladesh, he added.
The spokesperson also said that a discussion is scheduled on Thursday between the ruling and opposition parties there to resolve the crisis.
