BNP senior leader Dr Abul Moyeen Khan on Tuesday unequivocally told Yunnan Province leaders that if his party comes to power, it would prioritise deepening strategic and diplomatic relations with China to ensure a balance of geopolitical power.

"It’s simple that we are in a geographical position where, on three sides, we are encircled by a big and powerful country. We need to balance and bring equilibrium to our geopolitical role and location through our close relationship with China," he told a meeting with Yunnan Province Vice Governor Xu Hao.

He said this diplomatic and strategic balancing is essential for the survival of Bangladesh. "I sincerely wish, as in the past, China will continue to offer its fullest support to Bangladesh and its people."

A 21-member Bangladesh friendship delegation, led by Dr Moyeen Khan, attended the meeting at the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Yunnan Province.

Senior officials from various departments of the provincial government were present.

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On behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Dr Moyeen extended heartfelt congratulations to the Communist Party of China and Yunnan provincial leaders.

He also noted that Khaleda Zia has been a consistent and longstanding friend of China for several decades.

Dr Moyeen said the BNP’s Acting Chairman has sent them to China with wishes to strengthen future collaboration and friendship between China and Bangladesh.

Following the mass uprising in Bangladesh last year, he said, political parties, including BNP, have been eagerly waiting for a national election.

“If our party, BNP, along with our allies, is elected by people and forms the government, our first steps will be to strengthen our friendship with the people of China. This is a commitment from BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman," he said.

He said the people of Bangladesh have long regarded China as one of their trusted friends.

Dr Moyeen said Bangladesh is one-third the size of Yunnan, but its population is three times larger, highlighting the immense pressure on the government to ensure that people receive their rightful benefits and privileges.

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He said Bangladesh is primarily an agriculture-based country, much like Yunnan province.

"Bangladesh is striving to develop industrially, especially in the Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector, as well as in other areas, though not as successfully as we have in the garment sector," he observed.

The BNP leader urged Chinese authorities to extend their cooperation in the agricultural and financial sectors of Bangladesh.

He mentioned that the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka has already indicated support for a water management project along one of the country’s major rivers, the Teesta.

Dr Moyeen said the Chinese Ambassador has also indicated that China would support a $1 billion investment to implement this water management and irrigation project.

He said millions of poor people, particularly farmers, would greatly benefit if the project is implemented.

Dr Moyeen expressed the  hope that steps would be taken in the future to initiate the project with China’s cooperation.

As Yunnan is very close to China, Dr Moyeen said this province serves as a gateway to China for Bangladesh to enhance bilateral trade and commerce.

He stressed the importance of implementing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connecting Bangladesh with China via Myanmar. "We are eagerly waiting for the initiation and completion of this segment of the BRI. Kunming can play a very important role in this regard."

Dr Moyeen mentioned that while Bangladesh shares a large common border with a big country in Southeast Asia, it does not have a direct border with China. “But we believe China is Bangladesh’s closest neighbour.”

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Yunnan Province Vice Governor Xu Hao responded by stating that China, particularly the Yunnan provincial government, considers Bangladesh a very close and important neighbour.

He expressed the hope that the people-to-people relationship between China and Bangladesh would continue to grow in the future.

Xu Hao also said Yunnan is eager to assist Bangladesh’s renewable energy and agricultural sectors.

He also said four top hospitals in Yunnan have been designated to specifically treat Bangladeshi patients.

The Yunaan leader said many universities in Yunnan have become popular study destinations for South Asian countries. “We warmly welcome more Bangladeshi students to study in Yunnan and we”ll offer various scholarships for them.”

Earlier, on February 25, a 21-member ‘unique’ delegation, comprising leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, travelled to China for an 11-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

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BNP Legal Affairs Secretary Kayser Kamal, General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Shohidul Islam, General Secretary of Jubo Dal Nurul Islam Nayon, General Secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal Razib Ahsan and General Secretary of Chhatra Dal Nasir Uddin, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq, Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Executive Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Abul Hasan Md Shahidul Islam Rubel, National People's Party Chairman AZM Fariduzzaman, Nationalist Democratic Movement Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad Muhammad Rashed Khan, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Maulana Ataullah Amin, Dr Moyeen Khan’s wife, Advocate Roksana Khondker, Dhaka University’s International Relations department Prof Lailufar Yasmin, among others, the delegation members, participated in the meeting.