BEIJING, Aug 21: China on Friday congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir following his election as Bangladesh’s president, reaffirming Beijing’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties with Dhaka.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian conveyed Beijing’s greetings during a media briefing, saying China attaches importance to its relationship with Bangladesh and is prepared to work with the country’s new administration.
“China congratulates Alamgir on his election as the president of Bangladesh,” Lin said.
He added that Beijing is ready to cooperate with Dhaka in implementing understandings reached between the two countries’ leaders. China also wants to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation while broadening exchanges across multiple sectors.
Alamgir, 78, a veteran secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was elected president on Thursday. He is also a close political associate of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Relations between Beijing and Dhaka have gained momentum since the BNP-led government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February following the country’s general elections.
Rahman travelled to Beijing in June, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials. The meetings focused on expanding economic engagement and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Xi expressed support for Rahman’s government and said China was willing to work with Bangladesh to advance Belt and Road projects and better coordinate their development strategies.
The Chinese president also proposed creating an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar and China. The initiative is intended to improve regional connectivity and facilitate greater trade and economic cooperation.
During Rahman’s China visit, Beijing and Dhaka also agreed to enhance cooperation on the management of the Teesta River and other water-related projects.
The growing Chinese engagement with Bangladesh is being closely watched in India, particularly because northern Bangladesh lies close to the Siliguri Corridor. The strategically important corridor provides the principal land connection between mainland India and its northeastern states.
Greater Chinese involvement in the region could therefore have wider implications for regional connectivity, infrastructure and India’s strategic interests.