BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that China has expressed its willingness to work more closely with Bangladesh’s next elected government.

He shared the experience of a recent visit to China during a press briefing held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan on Monday (June 30).

During the trip, Shi Li Hongsheng, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Policy Bureau, invited BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China. China also expressed hope to soon begin a new phase of bilateral cooperation with a government formed through elections.

Mirza Fakhrul said that the Chinese Communist Party proposed signing a two-year political cooperation agreement with BNP, which the party welcomed positively.

He further said that BNP reiterated its strong support for the "One China" policy during the meetings.

Responding to a question, Fakhrul said that the Teesta River issue was discussed and China responded positively after hearing Bangladesh’s needs. 

He said BNP would consider any future Chinese proposal on Teesta in a positive light.

The Rohingya issue was also discussed, and Fakhrul noted that China is sincerely trying to persuade Myanmar to take the Rohingyas back.

A nine-member high-level BNP delegation led by Mirza Fakhrul visited China on June 22 at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party. The delegation included BNP Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and Selima Rahman; Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Ismail Jobiullah; Prof. Sukomal Barua; Zahid Uddin Swapan; BNP Media Cell Convener Prof. Dr. Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel; and ABM Abdus Sattar, the BNP Chairperson’s personal secretary.

The delegation returned to Bangladesh on June 27.

MSK/