[ALOCHONA] Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China

Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China

In view of China's growing importance globally, Bangladesh should attach importance to its relations with China. Bangladesh should consider seeking technical assistance from China to make Bangladesh technologically advanced. It remains to be seen how adroitly our prime minister handles these issues on her visit to China, writes Mohammad Amjad Hossain

The upcoming visit of the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to China is expected to provide her with an opportunity to have dialogue with the new generation of Chinese leaders and exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, but any dramatic development could hardly be expected from this visit. China would study the trend in Bangladesh in view of the recent visit of the Bangladeshi prime minister to India.

Relations between Bangladesh and China had developed following the change in the administration in 1975. Until then China did not recognise Bangladesh. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, ties between the two countries have developed, both in depth and dimension over the last two and a half decades. Chinese assistance in the form of soft loan for establishing development projects like Sundarban Textile Mills in Khulna, Polash Urea fertiliser factory in Ghorasal, Rupganj water conservancy project, China-Bangladesh Friendship conference centre and a bridge over Buriganga is emblematic of Bangladesh-China friendship. China had extended financial and technical assistance for the establishment of a rice bran oil extraction plant at Fatullah in Dhaka. China has also been involved in constructing roads and flyovers in Dhaka. Economic assistance from China has reached an estimated total of about $715 million.

Over a period of time China has turned out to be a major supplier of arms, equipment and training to armed forces of Bangladesh, apart from the United States. Politically, relations between the two countries deepened when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party was in power. The Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited Bangladesh two times during the five years of Khaleda Zia's administration. In 2005, both countries declared 2005 as the Bangladesh-China friendship year. These amply reflect the steady development of bilateral relations between the two countries in a wide range of fields.

A long-term trade agreement was signed between China and Bangladesh. China now turns out to be a major trading partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has imported from China 18 per cent of its goods in 2007-2008, which places Bangladesh in a trade deficit with China amounting to $3.8 billion. It is expected that the prime minister will raise the subject of trade relations with China and find out modalities to narrow down the huge trade deficit with China. During his visit to Bangladesh in 2005, the Chinese premier committed to ensure duty free access of Bangladeshi products to Chinese markets.

It is understood from news reports that the prime minister is carrying a big shopping list. While in China, she is likely to seek Chinese financial assistance for construction of a rail road connecting Chittagong with Teknaf to develop Cox's Bazar into an important business hub; another friendship bridge; power plants; Chittagong-Myanmar-Kunming highway and a deep sea port on Sonadia Island. There is no indication why Bangladesh is showing interest in constructing a highway linking Bangladesh with Kunming province of China over the territory of Myanmar. It is not clear whether Bangladesh government has had an agreement with Myanmar on this proposed project, although this proposal was considered by the Chinese premier when he paid a visit to Bangladesh in 2005. Kunming is located in Central Yunan and the Northern part of Dianchi Basin which is known historically as an important gateway to Silk Road that connected Tibet, Sichuan, Pakistan, Myanmar and India.

While in China the prime minister may discreetly find out the intention of China about diverting waters from the River Brahmaputra. Reportedly, India has expressed concern to China. Diversion of waters from Brahmaputra would adversely affect the lower riparian Bangladesh.

Bangladesh may consider placement of a request to China to offer academic scholarships to learn Chinese by Bangladeshi diplomats and teachers to strengthen social interaction.Although Bangladesh considers developing relations with China from political and economic point of views, but its big neighbour India sees it from a different perspective. Growing military relations between Bangladesh and China concern India. India's concerns emanate mainly from the Siliguri corridor link which connects mainland India with its landlocked north-eastern part of the country, a part of which belongs to Arunachal Pradesh of India. China has been demanding Twang district of Arunachal Pradesh, which has become a source of conflicts between China and India. Twang remains a disputed area since the British colonial rule of India. Historically, Twang area has had close relations with the people of Tibet and its culture. This area borders XiZang autonomous province (Tibet) of China.

Today China has become a giant country economically with a growth rate of nearly 11 per cent. China holds $894.8 billion US treasury securities as of December 2009. The US is now paying 60 million a day as interest to China. Technologically, too, China has been progressed tremendously. China's has also had success in space technology, sending an astronaut into the orbit at a cheaper cost than that of the United States.

Therefore, Bangladesh may consider seeking technical assistance from China to make Bangladesh technologically advanced, which is one of the important agenda of the Awami League-led alliance government. In view of China's growing importance globally, Bangladesh should attach significant importance to its relations with China. Bangladesh government should avoid causing any irritant in bilateral relations with China. It remains to be seen how successful our prime minister's visit would become in this regard.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a retired diplomat from Bangladesh and former president of Nova Toastmasters International Club, writes from Virginia

http://www.newagebd.com/2010/mar/17/oped.html 

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