China wants Bangladesh by its side against the US-India coalition

[Black_cats]

Geopolitics
China wants Bangladesh by its side against the US-India coalition

Raheed Ejaz
Dhaka
Published: 30 Apr 2021, 23:40

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe calls on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban, Dhaka on 27 April 2021PID

China has officially apprised Bangladesh of its concern about the US-led four-nation informal strategic dialogue or QUAD that includes India as well. In the interests of continued peaceful development in South Asia, China wants Bangladesh by its side to stand against such a ‘military coalition’ of outside forces. Bangladesh, however, has not responded to China’s proposal.

Foreign ministry officials on Thursday informed Prothom Alo that during his Dhaka visit, China’s defence minister General Wei Fenghe called upon president Md Abdul Hamid and apprised him of Beijing’s displeasure with QUAD. He also expressed China’s hope that the two countries could work together against QUAD spreading its dominance in the region.

The strategic coalition comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India, formed to tackle China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, is known as QUAD.

China’s defence minister arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday for a visit of around seven and a half hours. Other than calling upon the president, he also met with the army chief. At the start of the visit, the Chinese defence minister visited Dhanmondi Road 32 to pay respects to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This is the first time that such a high Chinese official paid respects at the Bangabandhu Museum.

Even when the Chinese president visited Bangladesh in 2016, he did not go to pay respects at Dhanmondi Road 32.


Diplomatic analysts find it significant that such an important minister of China, the country that opposed the 1971 Liberation War, went to pay respects to Bangabandhu for the first time.
Bangladesh has not officially stated whether the Chinese defence minister discussed the QUAD issue during his talks with the president. However, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua on 27 April night published a report, ‘Bangladesh, China agree to increase military cooperation.’
The report stated that the two sides should make joint efforts for regional peace and stability and to resist outside powers setting up any military coalition in the region.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, speaking to Prothom Alo in his office on Thursday, said, “I heard that the Chinese defence minister raised the QUAD issue when he called upon the president. He expressed China’s stand on the matter. However, that does not mean that Bangladesh supports what he said. Bangladesh listened to what he had to say. Concerning strategic initiatives, Bangladesh has always maintained that it will join in any initiative with elements of economic development, while upholding the interests of the country.”
Diplomatic sources have said that during his meeting with the president on Tuesday at Bangabhaban, the Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe showed interest in discussing Beijing-Delhi and Beijing-Washington relations. He referred to last year’s skirmish with India at the Galwan Valley, saying that the situation had deteriorated there as India had violated the boundary laws. However, the two sides had discussed the issue and now peace prevailed along the border.

While upholding the interests of the country, it would not be wise for Bangladesh to enter into any strategy or initiative. After all, peace and stability are essential for the development of the region

Maj. Gen. ANM Muniruzzaman (retd), president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (BIPSS)

Next speaking about Beijing-Washington relations, General Wei Fenghe said the issue had been raised at the virtual dialogue of top QUAD leaders held in March at the initiative of US president Joe Biden. The minister commented that an anti-China coalition was being formed in the name of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

China had no desire to oppose the US initiative, Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS). China wanted continued development in the region and for this, peace and stability was essential. China did not want to go into conflict with anyone. That is why it wanted Bangladesh by its side in the interest of the region’s peace, stability and development.

A government official, however, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that the president did not make any comment in response to the hopes or expectations expressed by the Chinese defence minister.

President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (BIPSS), Maj. Gen. ANM Muniruzzaman (retd) on Friday, speaking to Prothom Alo, said, “There are rapid changes apparent in geopolitics in recent times. We must remain alert about this. While upholding the interests of the country, it would not be wise for Bangladesh to enter into any strategy or initiative. After all, peace and stability are essential for the development of the region.

That is why it would not be wise for any quarter to take up an aggressive role.”

This retired senior army officer feels that the manner in which QUAD is advancing, it may eventually take the shape of a military coalition. Bangladesh must be cautious so that the Indian Ocean is not totally militarised.

Changing geo-strategy and the pandemic have pitched the matter of strategic cooperation into fresh challenges. That is why alongside national interests, the benefits of long term relations must also be taken into cognizance in the case of strategic cooperation

Md Shahidul Haque, former foreign secretary and senior fellow of NSU’s South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance
Prior to the visit of the Chinese defence minister, diplomatic and security analysts had commented that at a time when many countries were in turmoil due to the second wave of Covid-19, the Dhaka visit of the defence minister of China, an important partner of Bangladesh in defence cooperation, was significant on many levels. Two weeks before General Wei Fenghe ‘s visit, India’s army chief General Manoj Mukund Narvane paid a visit to Dhaka.

For over a year there have been all sorts of preparations for rapid geopolitical changes in the Indo-Pacific in which Bangladesh is involved too. At the same time, Bangladesh’s defence cooperation with China is steadily expanding.

And now, in face of a vaccine crisis, Bangladesh is negotiating with China for the vaccine. During his brief Dhaka trip, the Chinese defence minister, alongside defence cooperation, also discussed vaccine diplomacy and changing geopolitics.

Bangladesh has extensive defence cooperation with China since 1977. Till now, China is Bangladesh Army’s largest source for the procurement of any sort of military weapons.

Bangladesh Navy’s first submarine was also purchased from China. Other than the army and the navy, equipment for the air force and the coastguard are also procured from China.

Commenting on the visit of the Chinese defence minister in the changing geostrategic context, former foreign secretary and senior fellow of North South University’s South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), Md Shahidul Haque, on Thursday told Prothom Alo, given the existing realities, Bangladesh should maintain balanced relations with the bigger powers.

Changing geo-strategy and the pandemic have pitched the matter of strategic cooperation into fresh challenges. That is why alongside national interests, the benefits of long term relations must also be taken into cognizance in the case of strategic cooperation.

*This report appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir

China wants Bangladesh by its side against the US-India coalition

Chinese defence minister calls upon president and expresses Beijing’s concern about the QUAD. Dhaka does not respond to China’s proposal

en.prothomalo.com

 

[mb444]

BD has to be part of the chinese group but economically it can not as it trade primarily with the west.

BD and China are also aware that pendulum incrementally swings towards a formal alliance if the quad is formalised into an axis.

Game is on and india will soon find out how many friends it has cultivated through its action over the years.

 

[Bengal71]

Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, speaking to Prothom Alo in his office on Thursday, said, “I heard that the Chinese defence minister raised the QUAD issue when he called upon the president. He expressed China’s stand on the matter. However, that does not mean that Bangladesh supports what he said. Bangladesh listened to what he had to say. Concerning strategic initiatives, Bangladesh has always maintained that it will join in any initiative with elements of economic development, while upholding the interests of the country.”

Extremely good stance, I am very pleased with this type of foreign policy.

 

[UKBengali]

BD has to be part of the chinese group but economically it can not as it trade primarily with the west.

BD and China are also aware that pendulum incrementally swings towards a formal alliance if the quad is formalised into an axis.

Game is on and india will soon find out how many friends it has cultivated through its action over the years.

Why should BD have to be part of the Chinese group at all with the likes of Pakistan?

BD may be small in size but has a 165 million population, 350 billion US dollar economy set to grow at 7% per annum for decades to come. It can grow into a multi-trillion dollar economy with a strong military by mid-century if it plays its cards right.


Even if BD traded as much with China as it did with the West, there is no reason to get into a formal anti-Western/Indian alliance with China.

A BD-China relationship will be one of BD being the sidekick and China being the boss. BD is large and cohesive enough to become a relatively independent power in the world over the course of this century.


Better for BD to have good relations with both the West and the Chinese, and that way it can keep Indian attempts to bully BD at bay. BD only needs enough forces to be able to keep the forces stationed in Eastern India at bay to stop Indian bullying/meddling and that is a realistic goal and well within BD capabilities.

 

[Jobless Jack]

I hope in return BD gets some critical tech's from China

These are including but not limited to: Missile tech, submarine tech ( not just military), Island building tech.

The island building tech could be a total game changer for BD.

Building Artificial islands in the bay of Bengal will meet defense needs as well lift many people out of poverty as this will create new economic opportunity and will relieve the population density problems that BD faces.

 

[Beast]

Another nonsense , story spinning from an author. Chinese never wants anybody to be on our side when our fight against US imperialism. But when u want to earn Chinese money or Chinese help. You need to show respect in front of Chinese.

 

[Surya 1]

Geopolitics
China wants Bangladesh by its side against the US-India coalition

Raheed Ejaz
Dhaka
Published: 30 Apr 2021, 23:40

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe calls on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban, Dhaka on 27 April 2021PID

China has officially apprised Bangladesh of its concern about the US-led four-nation informal strategic dialogue or QUAD that includes India as well. In the interests of continued peaceful development in South Asia, China wants Bangladesh by its side to stand against such a ‘military coalition’ of outside forces. Bangladesh, however, has not responded to China’s proposal.

Foreign ministry officials on Thursday informed Prothom Alo that during his Dhaka visit, China’s defence minister General Wei Fenghe called upon president Md Abdul Hamid and apprised him of Beijing’s displeasure with QUAD. He also expressed China’s hope that the two countries could work together against QUAD spreading its dominance in the region.

The strategic coalition comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India, formed to tackle China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, is known as QUAD.

China’s defence minister arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday for a visit of around seven and a half hours. Other than calling upon the president, he also met with the army chief. At the start of the visit, the Chinese defence minister visited Dhanmondi Road 32 to pay respects to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This is the first time that such a high Chinese official paid respects at the Bangabandhu Museum.

Even when the Chinese president visited Bangladesh in 2016, he did not go to pay respects at Dhanmondi Road 32.


Diplomatic analysts find it significant that such an important minister of China, the country that opposed the 1971 Liberation War, went to pay respects to Bangabandhu for the first time.
Bangladesh has not officially stated whether the Chinese defence minister discussed the QUAD issue during his talks with the president. However, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua on 27 April night published a report, ‘Bangladesh, China agree to increase military cooperation.’
The report stated that the two sides should make joint efforts for regional peace and stability and to resist outside powers setting up any military coalition in the region.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, speaking to Prothom Alo in his office on Thursday, said, “I heard that the Chinese defence minister raised the QUAD issue when he called upon the president. He expressed China’s stand on the matter. However, that does not mean that Bangladesh supports what he said. Bangladesh listened to what he had to say. Concerning strategic initiatives, Bangladesh has always maintained that it will join in any initiative with elements of economic development, while upholding the interests of the country.”
Diplomatic sources have said that during his meeting with the president on Tuesday at Bangabhaban, the Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe showed interest in discussing Beijing-Delhi and Beijing-Washington relations. He referred to last year’s skirmish with India at the Galwan Valley, saying that the situation had deteriorated there as India had violated the boundary laws. However, the two sides had discussed the issue and now peace prevailed along the border.

Maj. Gen. ANM Muniruzzaman (retd), president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (BIPSS)

Next speaking about Beijing-Washington relations, General Wei Fenghe said the issue had been raised at the virtual dialogue of top QUAD leaders held in March at the initiative of US president Joe Biden. The minister commented that an anti-China coalition was being formed in the name of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

China had no desire to oppose the US initiative, Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS). China wanted continued development in the region and for this, peace and stability was essential. China did not want to go into conflict with anyone. That is why it wanted Bangladesh by its side in the interest of the region’s peace, stability and development.

A government official, however, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that the president did not make any comment in response to the hopes or expectations expressed by the Chinese defence minister.

President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (BIPSS), Maj. Gen. ANM Muniruzzaman (retd) on Friday, speaking to Prothom Alo, said, “There are rapid changes apparent in geopolitics in recent times. We must remain alert about this. While upholding the interests of the country, it would not be wise for Bangladesh to enter into any strategy or initiative. After all, peace and stability are essential for the development of the region.

That is why it would not be wise for any quarter to take up an aggressive role.”

This retired senior army officer feels that the manner in which QUAD is advancing, it may eventually take the shape of a military coalition. Bangladesh must be cautious so that the Indian Ocean is not totally militarised.



Md Shahidul Haque, former foreign secretary and senior fellow of NSU’s South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance
Prior to the visit of the Chinese defence minister, diplomatic and security analysts had commented that at a time when many countries were in turmoil due to the second wave of Covid-19, the Dhaka visit of the defence minister of China, an important partner of Bangladesh in defence cooperation, was significant on many levels. Two weeks before General Wei Fenghe ‘s visit, India’s army chief General Manoj Mukund Narvane paid a visit to Dhaka.

For over a year there have been all sorts of preparations for rapid geopolitical changes in the Indo-Pacific in which Bangladesh is involved too. At the same time, Bangladesh’s defence cooperation with China is steadily expanding.

And now, in face of a vaccine crisis, Bangladesh is negotiating with China for the vaccine. During his brief Dhaka trip, the Chinese defence minister, alongside defence cooperation, also discussed vaccine diplomacy and changing geopolitics.

Bangladesh has extensive defence cooperation with China since 1977. Till now, China is Bangladesh Army’s largest source for the procurement of any sort of military weapons.

Bangladesh Navy’s first submarine was also purchased from China. Other than the army and the navy, equipment for the air force and the coastguard are also procured from China.

Commenting on the visit of the Chinese defence minister in the changing geostrategic context, former foreign secretary and senior fellow of North South University’s South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), Md Shahidul Haque, on Thursday told Prothom Alo, given the existing realities, Bangladesh should maintain balanced relations with the bigger powers.

Changing geo-strategy and the pandemic have pitched the matter of strategic cooperation into fresh challenges. That is why alongside national interests, the benefits of long term relations must also be taken into cognizance in the case of strategic cooperation.

*This report appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir

China wants Bangladesh by its side against the US-India coalition

Chinese defence minister calls upon president and expresses Beijing’s concern about the QUAD. Dhaka does not respond to China’s proposal

en.prothomalo.com

Naturally,

BD is very important because of its location to China. However India BD has a very strong relations. BD can befriend with China but won't go against India in my opinion.

 

[zhxy]

Another nonsense , story spinning from an author. Chinese never wants anybody to be on their side when our fight against US imperialism. But when u want to earn Chinese money or Chinese help. You need how to show respect in front of Chinese.

Even Russia is no exception. The relationship between Russia and China is cooperation and it is only temporary. The two sides are partners, not allies. China pays money to buy some technology from Russia, there is no help here.

 

[Jobless Jack]

BD has to be part of the chinese group but economically it can not as it trade primarily with the west.

BD and China are also aware that pendulum incrementally swings towards a formal alliance if the quad is formalised into an axis.

Game is on and india will soon find out how many friends it has cultivated through its action over the years.

Yes but the Chinese want all in or nothing.

You want Chinese cash and tech, but you don't want to meet their interest ? Taking the Chinese for fools ?

Sooner or later , BD will have to choose side. Or it will lose all the benefits from both sides due to duplicity.

 

[Bengal71]

Another nonsense , story spinning from an author. Chinese never wants anybody to be on our side when our fight against US imperialism. But when u want to earn Chinese money or Chinese help. You need to show respect in front of Chinese.

Chinese money is not charity. Show that kind of arrogance with your iron brothers.

 

[Jobless Jack]

Chinese money is not charity. Show that kind of arrogance with your iron brothers.

Exactly

you wont get the money unless you provide "certain services". Hence the " Alliance" That's what the OP was saying.

If you feel you can get it from elsewhere . By all means go. But you are in no position to dictate anything to the Chinese.

Most Bangladeshi's here are suffering from what should. Its more about what will. With the yuan becoming dominant. You are in no position to do a balancing act between the west and China. Its all in or nothing.

But yes . Ideally balance between west and China is best. But neither the west or the Chinese are interested in giving BD that option. And YOU are in no position to dictate terms to either party.

You think your GDP and development gives you power in negotiations ? Its all just numbers on a screen. Nukes are a credible threat which everyone is scared of. Your GDP and development is just numbers on screen. Fear is power. Numbers are just .. Numbers.

So yes.. they can be arrogant about it.

 

[UKBengali]

Naturally,

BD is very important because of its location to China. However India BD has a very strong relations. BD can befriend with China but won't go against India in my opinion.

Yes, why should BD goes against India?

India and BD have deep economic links and these are getting stronger with regional power connectivity.

China and BD is and will remain a strict business relationship, both in economy and military.

 

[Bengal71]

Exactly

you wont get the money unless you provide "certain services". Hence the " Alliance" That's what the OP was saying.

If you feel you can get it from elsewhere . By all means go. But you are in no position to dictate anything to the Chinese.

Most Bangladeshi's here are suffering from what should. Its more about what will. With the yuan becoming dominant. You are in no position to do a balancing act between the west and China. Its all in or nothing.

But yes . Ideally balance between west and China is best. But neither the west or the Chinese are interested in giving BD that option. And YOU are in no position to dictate terms to either party.

You think your GDP and development gives you power in negotiations ? Its all just numbers on a screen. Nukes are a credible threat which everyone is scared of. Your GDP and development is just numbers on screen. Fear is power. Numbers are just .. Numbers.

So yes.. they can be arrogant about it.

We won't provide any services, you can provide it if you want.

They make investments to make money out of it, if they think there is no money to be made, they can invest their money elsewhere. We will look for other sources.

And Bangladesh is not trying to dictate anything, the number of times you repeat that word sounds like you learned it recently. We are not dictating anything to anybody. We are simply telling them we won't join one side or the other. Whether we are able to do a balancing act or not is yet to be seen, you don't have a crystal ball to say what will happen in the future. We will keep doing what we can, your predictions don't matter.

Yes, why should BD goes against India?

India and BD have deep economic links and these are getting stronger with regional power connectivity.

China and BD is and will remain a strict business relationship, both in economy and military.

Yes, so will our relationship with European and Western countries. We will have good relationship with all and advance the interst of our country. BD is not a country that has no choice but to take shelter under the wings of one country just to barely survive.

 

[Jobless Jack]

We won't provide any services, you can provide it if you want.

They make investments to make money out of it, if they think there is no money to be made, they can invest their money elsewhere. We will look for other sources.

And Bangladesh is not trying to dictate anything, the number of times you repeat that word sounds like you learned it recently. We are not dictating anything to anybody. We are simply telling them we won't join one side or the other. Whether we are able to do a balancing act or not is yet to be seen, you don't have a crystal ball to say what will happen in the future. We will keep doing what we can, your predictions don't matter.

My friend. I am not batting here for either party. I am fairly neutral.

What I described is how international politics works .

What you described is how international politics should work.

The Chinese don't want your money. They want to influence you. Same with US/EU.

Where else will you go what source? There is none.

Its either China/ Russia or USA led west. Unless you can somehow make aliens work for you.

This time there is no non aligned movement.

 

[Bengal71]

My friend. I am not batting here for either party. I am fairly neutral.

What I described is how international politics works .

What you described is how international politics should work.

The Chinese don't want your money. They want to influence you. Same with US/EU.

Where else will you go what source? There is none.

Its either China/ Russia or USA led west. Unless you can somehow make aliens work for you.

This time there is no non aligned movement.

That's not how international politics works, that's how banana republics run their state affairs. We will look after our national interest and BD has no interest in siding with the west or China. We simply won't do it, as the Foreign secretary clearly said it. That's our long held foreign policy and it is also now as it's the official position. Nobody cares about the predictions and 'expertise' of nobodies, the official position only matters.
The Chinese can if they want invest in BD if they think there is profit to be made. If they think it's worthless, they can invest their money elsewhere, it's their choice.

Their is no other source of investment? We have gone by without China in the last 50 years, we will too in the future. And why you guys worry about us so much, don't worry, calm down drink tea. We will be just fine.