Breaking diplomatic ground, Sun Haiyan, the Chinese Vice Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, touched down in Dhaka for a significant four-day visit last night. This visit marks a historic moment, being the first by a Chinese official since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s re-election following the January 7 national polls.
A reliable diplomatic source revealed that Sun Haiyan’s agenda includes crucial meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. The primary purpose of the visit is to extend greetings from the Chinese leadership to Prime Minister Hasina on her re-election.
This visit unfolds amidst heightened tensions between China and the US, with China criticizing what it perceives as US interference in Bangladesh’s national elections. Post the election, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory message, expressed a commitment to strengthening mutual trust and enhancing traditional friendly relations with Bangladesh.
Xi outlined a vision for taking the partnership to new heights, emphasizing the coordination of development strategies and the promotion of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. A day prior to arriving in Dhaka, Sun Haiyan engaged in a courtesy call with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, exploring avenues to promptly implement agreements from the president’s recent state visit to China.
During this meeting, the focus was on strengthening strategic bilateral relations and providing training opportunities for Maldivians in various fields. China, a significant development partner for Bangladesh, has played a crucial role in funding major projects such as the Dhaka Elevated Expressway and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
Additionally, China has actively participated in a trilateral arrangement for Rohingya repatriation. Sun Haiyan’s visit is expected to foster deeper ties and collaborations between China and Bangladesh, reaffirming the nations’ commitment to shared development and cooperation.
