Bangladesh News

China is keen to develop economic and regional cooperation with the Saarc member countries on the basis of five principles of peaceful coexistence and continue support for economic and social development of South Asian countries.

“China and South Asia are linked by mountains and rivers with a time-honoured history of friendly exchanges. We are eager to build an amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighbourhood and want to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia,” said Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei.

Talking to a reporters’ delegation from Saarc countries recently, he said China is also ready to continuously deepen friendly cooperative relations of long-term stability and orientation towards the future with all South Asian countries based on the spirit of equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.

He said the South Asian countries are a very important part of the international system. China will continue to offer support and assistance with no political strings attached within its ability for economic and social development of these countries and share development experience with them for common development, Yafei added.

Twenty-one journalists of print and electronic media from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka visited different places in China, including the Olympic venues in Beijing and Shanghai, at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs during May 19-31.

The delegation travelled to Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Kunming and had a series of interactions with high government officials, Olympic officials, leading businessmen, economists and common people.

On Saarc-China relations, Yafei noted that China participated in the last Saarc summit as an observer and proposed projects, including training of diplomats, poverty alleviation and promoting trade with South Asian countries, which were appreciated by the Saarc member states.

Yafei said that the volume of trade with the Saarc countries reached $50 billion, registering a sharp increase by 45 percent. “We are looking for people-to-people exchanges and diversifying regional cooperation,” he added.

On forming Asian common market, Yafei noted that Asia is a very diverse region and needs free trade agreements on bilateral and regional levels along with greater economic cooperation.

Replying to questions from Bangladeshi journalists, he said China and Bangladesh are close not only geographically but also in a friendship that stretches back across millennia.

“Bilateral relations in all fields including politics, economics, culture and education have since been developing steadily,” he said, adding that frequent high-level visits have helped promote understanding and keep healthy relations alive.

The two governments agreed to forge a comprehensive partnership during Prime Minister Wen Jiabao’s visit to Bangladesh in 2005, further boosting their already well-developed relationship, Yafei noted.

The previous year saw a 7.9 percent annual increase in bilateral trade reaching $3.44 billion, including $3.33 billion in exports from China, according to official estimate. China became the biggest trading partner of Bangladesh in 2006 while Bangladesh is now China’s third-largest trade partner in South Asia, he said.

Yafei said China had committed $60 million to Bangladesh and would provide all assistance possible to it in building infrastructure and promoting economic development.

On relations with smaller countries in the region, Yafei said, “China believes that small and big countries are equal members of international community.”

On China’s relations with Sri Lanka, he reiterated that there is no “hidden agenda” behind Chinese assistance to Colombo.

Hinting at restriction of western aid to Sri Lanka due to human rights violation, Yafei pointed out that China also respects human rights “but no country is perfect in human rights record. Human rights should ensure the right to live with basic amenities of life. China has brought about tremendous changes in the welfare of people to the extent life expectancy has been doubled during the reform period.”

On establishing diplomatic relations with Bhutan, Yafei said, “If Bhutan is ready, China is ready to establish diplomatic ties with Bhutan today.”

Commenting on its relations with India, Yafei said the ties were progressing well and the two countries established a mechanism to solve the border disputes. He, however, stressed the importance of maintaining border tranquillity and ensuring no clashes in border areas.

Turning to Olympic, the Chinese minister pointed out that year 2008 is important for China as the country is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its “opening up and reforms”.

He said during the period China has witnessed a “huge leap forward” in various fields, especially the huge development in economy and people’s welfare.

Yafei said, “We are also holding Olympic Games in Beijing this year…This is the Olympic we are hosting together with the international community.”

Wishing that South Asian countries win more medals at the Beijing Olympics than the previous games, Yafei said China is ready to receive the athletes from across the world and also from the Saarc countries.

Yafei said the media can play an important role in cementing relations between the South Asian nations.