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BOTTOM LINE

A friend in deed

Harun ur Rashid
***/Bilateral relations reached their peak in 2005, when the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Premier Wen Jiabao paid a state visit to Bangladesh in April 2005, and the prime minister of Bangladesh paid a return visit within three months.***
ON September 14, Chief Adviser Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed went to China for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The visit is bound to strengthen the existing bilateral relations in all their aspects.
During the visit of the Chinese foreign minister to Bangladesh in April, he called on the chief adviser and invited him on behalf of the Chinese PM..
The CA held official talks with the Chinese prime minister on September 15. On the same day he called on President Hu Jintao.
China: Emerging global power China is the fourth largest economy in the world. Within a few years China's GDP is expected to surpass the world's third largest economy, Germany. China's strategic and economic importance has been recognised by G8 leaders, and it was invited to their summit in Japan last July.
China's economy continues to soar, prompting many to call it Asia's "waking giant." It is the economy that overwhelms all other aspects of the relations between China and the West.
In what appears to be a marriage of convenience for both sides, the West has taken a softer approach towards China. For example, all the important leaders from the West, including President Bush, attended the inauguration of the Beijing Olympics last month.
China is taking a more active role at the UN. Its increasing confidence, diplomatic dexterity, and veto-wielding power in the UN Security Council has been demon-
strated with care and caution.
Bangladesh is fully aware that China is emerging as a great military and economic power, and, being sandwiched between China and India, is deeply interested in extending its cooperation with both the countries in a globalised world, where economies are being integrated.
Dynamics of bilateral relations
Few people realise that China is 100 kilometres across the Himalayas from Bangladesh. Bangladesh's relation with China dates back centuries. A Buddhist monk, Atish Dipankar from Vikrampur, travelled to China in the 11th century and preached Buddhism for 17 years.
He died in modern day Chinese Tibet, and the Chinese government returned his ashes to his birthplace as a mark of friendship between the two countries.
Since the opening of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, bilateral relations have been founded on mutual trust and respect.
From the very beginning, Bangladesh has adhered to Chinese three "nos" policy to Taiwan — no independence, no representation to international bodies and no two China. This means that Bangladesh considers Taiwan an integral part of China.
Dhaka's unambiguous stance in March to support the Beijing Olympics, when violence took place in Lhasa and there was a call for boycott of the Olympics, must have pleased China.
President Ziaur Rahman made the first official visit to China in 1977, leading to visits by all the heads of Bangladesh government.
which consolidated relations between the two countries. President Ershad visited China six times during his presidency.
Bilateral relations reached their peak in 2005, when the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Premier Wen Jiabao paid a state visit to Bangladesh in April 2005, and the prime minister of Bangladesh paid a return visit within three months.
Generating $4.2 billion worth of trade in 2007, Sino-Bangladesh relationship is founded on the cornerstone of economic cooperation. Bangladesh is also China's third largest trade partner in South Asia.
Chinese entrepreneurs are encouraged to invest in Bangladesh in areas such as infrastructure, textiles, electronics, information technology and ceramics.
Other agreements signed between the countries include areas such as agriculture, transport and communications, machinery, energy, science and technology. A Joint Economic Commission was constituted in 1983.
China has shown interest in the mining sector and a Chinese company was given the lease in Khalaspir coalfield in Rangpur district. It also signed an agreement in 2000 to set up a feasibility study in utilising waters from hilly areas for generating power, including the possibility of hydro-electric power from Matanuhuri and Sangu rivers.
China provided loans and grants to Bangladesh and heavily invested in infrastruc-
ture. The Muktarpur Bridge over River Dhaleswari was the sixth bridge built and completed in February this year. All the bridges have contributed to interconnectivity within the country and boosted trade and economic growth.
During the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi to Bangladesh in April this year, he offered Tk.6,000 million in "free aid" to Bangladesh and Tk. 5 million in" token gift" to mark his visit to the country. He showed interest in assisting in the generation of nuclear energy in the plant in Rooppur.
Talks fruitful
Official talks between Bangladesh and China were held at the Great Hall of the People on September 16, where Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Bangladesh side while Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, headed the host country.
China will provide special preferential treatment for access of some Bangladeshi products to its market to reduce the prevailing trade imbalance between the two countries, and cooperate in implementation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant for peaceful purpose.
Beijing will also consider Dhaka's request for engaging China in the Bangladesh-Myanmar Road Link scheme meant for enhancing trade and people-to-people contact.
Chinese leaders also assured cooperation in constructing bridges on the Meghna and the Gumti. Besides, they will provide technological support in developinghybridseeds.
Three agreements on cooperation were concluded during the
visit. This speaks for the relevance of Bangladesh in China's South Asia policy.
Strategic importance of Bangladesh to China
The two countries have worked closely in the multilateral forums, particularly in the UN, by focusing on development and peace issues. The strategic importance of Bangladesh in China's South Asia policy is obvious. Let me enumerate a few:
Bangladesh stands between China and India, and both are emerging as global economic and political powers. Bangladesh's cooperation may help achieve their goals in South Asia.
Bangladesh has a sizeable middle class of about 40 million and is emerging as a lucrative market for China.
Bangladesh is a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia. Its membership of Asean Regional Forum has made Bangladesh critically important for any country that wishes to engage in South and South East Asia.
China has built a train line from Beijing to Lhasa (Tibet) and plans to extend it to Kathmandu (Nepal). If interconnectivity and transit routes are in place within South Asia Dhaka may connect a link to Beijing through Kathmandu.
Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth, Organisation of Islamic Conference (O1C), Non-Aligned Movement and the UN. Few countries are members of all these organisations. Bangladesh can play an important role in ensuring global peace and harmony, and it has considerable influence among the members of the OIC. Its role in curbing Islarr^c extremism within the country has been praised by the international community.
Sino-Bangladesh relations have been characterised by comprehensive partnership of cooperation, based on mutual respect and trust, with China for more than 32 years.
Bangladesh could find understanding in China of its problems and concerns to reduce poverty through economic growth and development
The basic course of Bangladesh's relationship with China has been firmly set, and will continue for further expansion. The visit, although a brief one, will consolidate relations for mutual benefit of peoples of both countries.
Bassler Hann ur Rash>d s a frymer Ba^adesh Ambassador to the UN. Geneva.