China backs Teesta, economy, Rohingya repatriation

China has pledged to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh on the Teesta River project, a proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor, defence collaboration, Rohingya repatriation and development initiatives following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Beijing.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen outlined the broad agenda agreed by the two countries after elevating bilateral ties from a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership” to a “China-Bangladesh Community of Shared Future in the New Era,” he said at a press conference at the Chinese Embassy on Thursday.

Teesta River project and defence cooperation Addressing questions on the long-delayed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, Yao said the initiative remained one of the most important areas of bilateral cooperation.

“Definitely this project is the highlight of the bilateral cooperation and I know the Bangladeshi people have very high expectations for the progress of this project,” he said.

“As I said, this project is truly a livelihood project concerning more than 10 million people living around the river. It is a request of the Bangladesh government. China prepares to offer whatever China can do to help build this project.”

The envoy stressed that a scientific feasibility study would be the immediate priority.

“China is committed to work with Bangladesh and send our top experts to Bangladesh so we could work on a feasibility study. You will see some progress very soon regarding this matter,” he said.

Clarifying the distinction between previous studies and the latest initiative, Yao noted that earlier memorandums of understanding involved Chinese companies and Bangladeshi agencies, while the new process would be conducted on a government-to-government basis.

“What we are pursuing now is that top experts from the Chinese government and Bangladesh government will work together to come out with a feasibility study so that it can sustain the test of time,” he said.

Responding to concerns over the project’s proximity to the Indian border, the ambassador said the initiative was solely intended to benefit people in northern Bangladesh.

“Teesta is a Bangladeshi project. It is in the interests of more than 10 million people in the northern region. Other elements are not in our consideration,” he said.

A major outcome of the visit was the decision to explore a “2+2” dialogue mechanism involving foreign and defence officials from both countries, alongside a strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers.

“Now we are a community of shared future. It is a new definition of cooperation. It means the highest level of cooperation. So we need some mechanism to support the high level of cooperation,” Yao said.
Yao noted that Bangladesh had already agreed to establish a similar mechanism with Turkey and said China maintained such arrangements with several countries.

Asked about reports of possible Chinese sales of J-10CE fighter aircraft to Bangladesh, the ambassador declined to discuss specific procurement matters.

“Our cooperation is very comprehensive. Defence cooperation is also part of it. But I am not in a position to pinpoint any particular purchase project,” he said.

“With our relations updated to a community of shared future, we see more cooperation in all areas, including defence cooperation,” he said.

The ambassador welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

“This will provide a big platform for Bangladesh to work with other countries, international institutions and financial institutions under GDI for the benefit of development,” he said.

Economic corridor
On the proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor, Yao said the initiative was not new and had been under discussion for more than a decade.

“We proposed BCMI even 15 years ago and already achieved some progress, but due to misunderstandings we have not achieved what China originally designed,” he said.

“Now Bangladesh wants more regional connectivity, China wants more regional connectivity and I believe Myanmar also wants this sort of cooperation.

Why not our three countries start from right now?”
He said China remained committed to advancing the project and remained open to participation by other countries.

“I want to say this cooperation is not end of the game. Okay, we are open. We welcome other countries if they want. It’s up to them to make a decision whether they want to be part of it or they want to wait and see.

Anyway, China is determined to proceed with Bangladesh to build this economic corridor,” he said.
Asked about the current instability in Myanmar for establishing the corridor, he said, “It may bring more impetus to move forward repatriation, but even before a solution we can find a way out. Maritime cooperation can start as an early harvest of economic cooperation,” he said.
Rohingya crisis

Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Yao reaffirmed “We believe repatriation is still the only solution,” he said.
“We encourage direct talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar and we will provide facilitation and a platform,” he said.

Yao also highlighted growing Chinese investment interest in Bangladesh, saying more than 30 Chinese companies had already committed around US$500 million to the Chinese Industrial Economic Zone in Anwara.

He further revealed that 12 Chinese companies had expressed interest in investing more than US$9.2 billion in Bangladesh.

On political issues, Yao reiterated Beijing’s long-standing opposition to foreign intervention.
“Our foreign policy firmly opposes any foreign intervention in any country,” he said.