DHAKA: China has warned Bangladesh against joining the US-led Quad alliance, saying that Dhaka’s participation in the anti-Beijing “club” would result in “substantial damage” to bilateral relations, international media reports have said.
The warning from Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has come weeks after visiting Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe told Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid that Dhaka and Beijing should make joint efforts against powers from outside the region establishing what he said “military alliance” in South Asia and practicing “hegemonism”, according to reports.
“Obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four (Quad) because it will substantially damage our bilateral relationship,” Ambassador Li said at a virtual meeting organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that Dhaka maintains a non-aligned and balanced foreign policy and it will decide what to do according to those principles, according to reports.
“We’re an independent and sovereign state. We decide our (own) foreign policy. But yes, any country can uphold its position,” he said.
The comment has been preemptive, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency reported, quoting said the foreign minister as saying.
Initiated in 2007, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Quad for short, is an informal grouping of India, the US, Australia and Japan.
“Quad is a small group of elites working against China,” Ambassador Li said.
“Quad says it is only for economic purposes and security and so on. But that’s not true. We know that Quad is aimed at China,” the envoy was quoted as saying by BDNews24.com news portal and other newspapers.
Japan, together with the US, has stated it very clearly they are participating in [Quad] because of China, Li said.
Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei, who visited Dhaka on April 27 had said that to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, China and Bangladesh “should make joint efforts against powers outside the region setting up military alliance in South Asia and practicing hegemonism.”
The Chinese Ambassador also raised the possibility of China aiding Bangladesh’s efforts on the Teesta River management project, stating that their involvement in the project would be seriously considered’ once Dhaka submitted a feasibility report.
The Bangladesh government had yet to formally propose that China take part in the project, he said.
The Teesta River management project would dredge and embank large portions of the river in order to form a single, manageable channel.
Li also dismissed concerns that water sharing disputes between Bangladesh and India could affect the project.
(This story has not been edited by Khabarhub and is published from a syndicated feed)
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