BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that a BNP delegation recently in its recent China visit discussed the Teesta project, Rohingya repatriation, and future bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, Fakhrul said during the five-day visit, the delegation held meetings with senior Chinese leaders, including Politburo member and NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Li Hongzhong, CPC International Department Minister Liu Jianchao, and Vice Minister Sun Haiyan.
Fakhrul noted that the CPC acknowledged the historic contributions of late president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in strengthening Bangladesh-China ties.
The BNP reiterated its unwavering commitment to the One-China policy and appreciated China’s global development under President Xi Jinping, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative.
CPC Politburo member Li Hongzhong extended an invitation to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China and expressed readiness to work with Bangladesh’s future elected government.
Fakhrul said that BNP has raised the issue of the Teesta River project, explaining the country’s needs.
“China responded positively and is actively working on the matter. He added that, if a proposal is made, BNP will consider it positively if it assumes office in the future.”
He added that the Rohingya crisis was also discussed, with China expressing commitment to persuading Myanmar to agree to the safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced Rohingyas.
China also expressed interest in seeing Bangladesh maintain good relations with its neighbours, according to Fakhrul.
Other areas of cooperation discussed included digital technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced healthcare, education, communications, agriculture, SMEs, blue economy, and technology transfer, the veteran politician said.
Mirza Fakhrul stated that China proposed a two-year political cooperation agreement with BNP, which the party saw positively.
He further said that China emphasised working with any elected government.
The delegation also included Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, and Selima Rahman, and others.