China rejects hegemony, expansionism

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said China rejects hegemony, expansionism and spheres of influence, stressing that Beijing remains committed to peaceful development and stronger cooperation with Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while delivering a lecture at the National Defence College in Dhaka on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Embassy.

“Hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence find no place in the Chinese dictionary,” the ambassador said.

Yao said China has always followed an independent foreign policy of peace and that its defence policy is also guided by the principle of peaceful development.

He said Beijing has consistently pursued a friendly neighbourhood policy towards Bangladesh and remains willing to expand exchanges and cooperation across all sectors, including defence and military cooperation, to support Bangladesh’s development. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, the ambassador said the visit produced fruitful outcomes and helped take bilateral relations to a new stage.

He said the two countries had agreed to upgrade the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and work towards building a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era.

Yao said China is ready to work with Bangladesh and the wider international community to promote what he described as an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation.

He also highlighted China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative as part of Beijing’s broader diplomatic vision.

The lecture was attended by NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, more than 100 officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and representatives of foreign militaries.

After the lecture, the Chinese envoy exchanged views with participants and answered questions on China-US relations, China-India relations, BRICS and the Rohingya issue.