China questions role of 'certain foreign countries' in Bangladesh
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Chinese envoy says a friend in need is a friend indeed. China never intervenes in internal affairs of others. Wants to help Bangladesh achieve greater economic success.
Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen on Wednesday questioned the role of “certain foreign countries” in Bangladesh.
He did not mention any country by name, but it is understood that the ambassador referred to the US’s policy since he mentioned the “unilateral visa restrictions” issue, while talking to the media after handing over dengue test kits to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, an industrial suburb on the outskirts of Dhaka.
“Ambassador Yao noted that a friend in need is a friend indeed. A certain foreign country claims itself to be Bangladesh’s friend and keeps talking about human rights, democracy, and free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” according to the Chinese embassy transcript.
“In the meantime, they are also imposing unilateral visa restrictions and even probable economic sanctions on Bangladeshi people. China never intervenes in the internal affairs of other countries. Instead, we want to help Bangladesh make greater economic success and improve the livelihood of local people. Who is the genuine friend of Bangladesh? The people have the say.”
Earlier, he handed over 700 sets of dengue kits to Enam Medical College Hospital, which would meet the demand for tests of over 18,000 people.
“China will provide 25 million RMB ($3.5 million or Tk40 crore) anti-dengue aid to Bangladesh,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August.
The ambassador said President Xi had emphasized that both China and Bangladesh were at a critical stage of their own development and revitalization, and the Chinese side stood ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Bangladesh, push bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new level and better benefit the people of the two countries.
“So people are always the focus and purpose of our development. President Xi and the Chinese government are deeply concerned about the dengue epidemic in Bangladesh.”
He said the donation “marks only a starting point, and there will be more anti-dengue aid on an even larger scale coming from China in a few days.”