"China looks to deepen ties with the incoming government"

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong on Tuesday expressed Beijing’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh’s next elected government.

Weidong conveyed this message during a meeting with a high-level BNP delegation led by the party’s Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to BNP Media Cell Member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

"China hopes for a free and fair election in Bangladesh and looks forward to working closely with the new government," Sayrul quoted Weidong as saying.

Sayrul also noted that the Chinese Vice Minister assured continued Chinese support for Bangladesh in sectors such as agriculture, industry, garments, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

The meeting, held on the second day of the BNP delegation’s visit to China, took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, Sayrul added.

During the discussions, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul sought China’s assistance in enhancing technological capacity, improving efficiency, and addressing trade imbalances between the two countries.

A day earlier, on Monday, the Communist Party of China (CPC) extended a formal invitation to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China at a convenient time. The invitation was delivered by Li Hongzhong, member of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, during his meeting with the BNP delegation.

The nine-member BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul, departed Dhaka for China on Sunday night for a five-day visit at the CPC’s invitation. Other members of the delegation include BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and Begum Selima Rahman; Chairperson's Advisers Zahiruddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, and Professor Sukomal Barua; party media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel; and BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

This visit is seen as a sign of deepening political engagement between the BNP and the CPC, with both sides expressing interest in expanding cooperation in the days ahead.